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Federal Noxious Weed TDA Noxious Weed TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species 
Invasive Plant Atlas of the USNOTE:
means species is on that list.
Ficus religiosa
Peepul Tree
Synonym(s):
Family: Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Tree
Photographer: Walter Hodge
Source: USF Herbarium SLide Collection
Description
Trees , evergreen, to 30 m. The sacred fig is the state tree of the Indian states of Odisha and Haryana. Ficus religiosa is a large dry season-deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to 100 ft tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 10 ft). Leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) with a distinctive extended drip tip; they are 4-7 in. long and 3-5 in. broad, with a long (2-4 in.) petiole. The fruits are small (0.39-0.6 in.) figs and ripen from green to purple.
Flowering all year.
Ficus religiosa has a very long lifespan, ranging on average between 900 and 1,500 years; with reports of over 3,000 years from some of its native habitats.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Peepul Tree.
Ecological Threat: The major reasons for its invasive behavior are its fast-growing nature, tolerance to various climate zones and soil types, reported lifespan of over 3,000 years, and its suffocating growth habit as it often begins life as an epiphyte. Ficus religiosa seeds readily germinate on buildings and compromise their structural integrity.
Potential to produce
large quantities of high-sugar fruits, during off seasons from other species and compromise ecosystem integrity.Many Ficus species and they are frequently considered a keystone food resource for frugivorous animals, particularly birds. The over-production of fruit on the off season to attract non-native animals, insects and/or invasive rats and hogs.
Biology & Spread: This species reported to be able to set viable seeds in two places, Israel and Florida. In Israel, the pollinator wasp successfully invaded and established allowing the tree to begin to spread. In Florida, sporadic seeding events have been documented, though have not persisted, perhaps due to an unsuccessful colonization of the associated pollinator wasp or an intrusion from a pollinator wasp of the native Ficus aurea.
History: Native to the India and tropical Asia, it is said to be the tree that Buddha was born under and also where he sat for six years of meditation and enlightenment. Elsewhere in the world and in Hawai'i, trees are occasionally cultivated and planted near temples. In Israel it has become invasive where its specialist pollinator wasp was also introduced and creates an overabundance of fruit. This same wasp has been introduced to Hawai'i and poses the same threat. Planting of this species has been prohibited in Miami-Dade County, Florida as of 2014.
U.S. Habitat: Across the world it is planted in parks, roadsides, and found in lower elevation forests (below 1550 m.)
Distribution
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: India and Southeast Asia
U.S. Present: FL
Distribution in Texas: No reports in Texas.
Mapping
Invaders of Texas Map: Ficus religiosa
EDDMapS: Ficus religiosa
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Ficus religiosa
Native Alternatives
Management
Mechanical/Physical- Pulling seedlings and small, young trees is effective. However, once established, the species can re-sprout from stumps or fragments; herbicide treatment is needed.
Chemical- A cut stump treatment with an herbicide such as Garlon (triclopyr) might be effective in control. It is important to apply herbicide within minutes of cutting the stump to ensure absorption.
Text References
DiTomaso JM, Kyser GB, Oneto SR, Wilson RG, Orloff SB, Anderson LW, Wright SD, Roncoroni JA, Miller TL, Prather TS, Ransom C, Beck KG, Duncan C, Wilson KA, Mann JJ, 2013. Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. Davis, California, USA: Weed Research and Information Center, University of California, 544 pp.
Kattan, G. H., and L. A. Valenzuela. 2013. Phenology, abundance and consumers of figs (Ficus spp.) in a tropical cloud forest: evaluation of a potential keystone resource. Journal of Tropical Ecology 29:401-407.
Nadel, H., J.H. Frank, and R.J. Knight. 1992. Escapees and accomplices: The naturalization of exotic Ficus and their associated faunas in Florida. Florida Entomologist 75(1):29-38.
Richard, P.W. 2008. Fora of North America: Ficus religiosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1059. 1753. Accessed 21 Novemeber 2008: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200006369.
Starr F., K. Starr, and L. Loope. 2003. Ficus religiosa. United States Geological Survey--Biological Resources Division Haleakala Field Station, Maui, Hawai'i.
Vianna-Filho, M. D., R. J. V. Alves, Y. Q. Peng, and R. A. S. Pereira. 2017. Naturalization of the bodhi fig tree (Ficus religiosa L.- Moraceae) in Brazil. Bioscience Journal 33:177-182
Online Resources
https://www.kauaiisc.org/wp-content/uploads/C19-Ficus-religiosa_Prioritization-Assessment.pdf
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.24168
Search Online
Google Search: Ficus religiosa
Google Images: Ficus religiosa
NatureServe Explorer: Ficus religiosa
USDA Plants: Ficus religiosa
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Ficus religiosa
Bugwood Network Images: Ficus religiosa
