Ficus pumila**

Ficus pumila L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1060. 1753; Corner, Gard. Bull. 21(1): 52. 1965; Corner in Dass. & Fosb., Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 258 fig. 16. 1981; Collett, Fl. Siml. ed. 2: 460. 1921 (Reprint 1980); Parker, For. Fl. Punj. ed. 1: 481. 1918 (Reprint 1973); Stewart in Nasir & Ali, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak & Kashm. 193. 1973; Fl. China @ eFloras.org 5: 69; Fl. North Amer. @ eFloras.org vol. 3; Ghafoor, Fl. Pak. @ eFloras.org p. 10

Climber with adventitious clinging roots; young shoots with white to brownish short hairs. Stipules 2, ca. 5 mm long, enclosing bud completely, lanceolate or triangular with long acuminate apex, with yellow-brown silk-like hairs. Leaves distichous, alternate; petiole 2.5-5 mm long, curved, hidden from adaxial side, pubescent; leaf blade ovate-cordate, 1-4.2 cm x 0.7-2.8 cm, coriaceous, base rounded- subcordate, asymmetrical, margin entire, apex obtuse, acute or emarginate; adaxial surface rough, sparsely scabrellous, abaxially sparsely pubescent on veins; 3-veined at base, basal lateral veins elongated; secondary veins 3 or 4 on each side of midvein, abaxially prominent and adaxially impressed; intercostal veins conspicuous, honey-comb like.

Hypanthodia not observed.

Flowering and Fruiting: Figs not observed.
Common Names: Climbing Fig, Creeping Fig; Chhipkali Bel (Hindi)

** Based upon the shape of the leaves (ovate-cordate) the taxon appears to be Ficus pumila var. pumila. Synonyms: F. repens Anon, Gard. Chron., n.s., 14: 716. 1880; F. scandens Lam., Encycl. 2(2): 498. 1788; F. stipulate Thunb., Ficus: 8. 1786; F. stipulate Lem., Hort. Universel 4: 359. 1843.