Difference between Ficus Greenisland and Longisland

Admin | Posted on 20 June 2023 |

For those of you who have seen the two in person, telling the difference between Ficus Greenisland and Ficus Longisland is not difficult. But it’s confusing when you never see the two of them and only see pictures from the internet.

Here, bonsai-passion.co.uk shares information on how to tell the difference between Ficus Greenisland and Longisland.

First, you should know that “greeninsland” and “longisland” are not legitimate scientific or Latin names for these two Ficuses. They both actually come from Ficus microcarpa species and the legal names are:

Ficus microcarpa var. latifolia for Ficus Greenisland and;
Ficus microcarpa var. crassifolia for Ficus longinsland.

Ok, back to the main topic of distinguishing between Ficus greenisland and Ficus longisland. The simplest is the physical shape of the leaves.

Knowing this, you may wonder why the scientific name is the same as Ficus Tiger Bark, Wax Fig or Ficus retusa type? Ficus Tiger Bark and Wax Fig are varieties or descendants of Ficus microcarpa and greenisland and longisland, only this type is easier to recognize and rarely discussed. Except for the name Ficus retusa, where that name is the official name for Ficus species native to Malesiana.

Ficus retusa is completely different from Ficus microcarpa and its descendants. It has large leaves, rather thick, somewhat stiff and with a blunt tip (typical of Ficus retusa). So, apart from Malesiana, Ficus retusa is almost impossible to find. Even in Java, only a few places where Ficus retusa grows are known.

Difference between Ficus Greenisland and Longisland

Ficus Greenisland

The leaves of Ficus Greenisland are almost round or oval with a rounded tip. The leaves are stiff and light green. It grows quickly, more often on the side, and becomes a low bush, 1-1.5 meters high.

Ficus Longisland

Ficus longisland has oval leaves that are quite long with a narrow tip. The leaves are stiff and bright green or dark green. Fast-growing, with a vertical trunk, it can grow up to 3 meters high. Since the text explanation alone can be difficult to understand, we show the image below to make it easier for you to recognize and know the difference.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Besides greenisland and longisland, there is one more type called Ficus Coin (trade may be limited internationally, but quite common in Asia) and it has no known scientific name. The characteristics are very similar to that of the green island, but their leaves are smaller, denser, bright bright green, and the leaf blade is concave like a bowl.

Ficus coin is not commonly used as a bonsai because of its very slow growth. However, this type has very small, shiny, concave, upward-facing leaves, and as the name implies these leaves are only the size of a coin.