Fig Leaf Diversity: 800 Species, Many Shapes

The Wikipedia fig leaf image shows simple, unlobed leaves, but many expect the classic 3-lobed "fig leaf." The genus Ficus contains ~800 species with wildly varying leaf shapes.

Examples

• Ficus religiosa (sacred fig) – simple, cordate leaves with long drip tips (the Wikipedia image).
• Ficus carica (common edible fig) – deeply 3–5 lobed leaves.
• Ficus elastica (rubber tree) – large, thick, oval leaves.
• Ficus pumila (creeping fig) – tiny, heart-shaped juvenile leaves.

Why the Confusion?

Art and tradition cemented the lobed F. carica leaf as "the" fig leaf. But Ficus diversity is enormous—strangler figs, banyans, indoor trees, edible figs—all with distinct foliage.

Check the Wikipedia page's species list (right sidebar) for more examples.