Ficus petiolaris aka Petiolated Fig

Ficus petiolaris, also known as the petiolate fig and rock fig, is a fig plant that is native to Mexico, specifically from Baja California and Sonora to Oaxaca. It can grow up to 25 meters in tropical canyons, but can also remain dwarfed as a shrub or stunted as a dwarf shrub when freeze damaged at higher elevations. This plant is unique due to its bulbous base, known as a caudex, which persists for many years in cultivation. The leaves are heart-shaped and glaucous green above, with a tuft of whitish hairs on the vein axils underneath. The flowers and fruits are green with red and velvety spots. The foliage is evergreen, but can also be drought-deciduous. The bark of the plant is papery and yellow, while the leaves are purple-veined and cordate, giving it a striking appearance. Ficus plants are known to produce figs and are pollinated by tiny wasps that use the fruits as a safe place to raise their young. It should be noted that Ficus plants contain toxic latex, so it's important to be cautious if you have children or pets. Other common names for Ficus petiolaris include the Baja California rock fig, Palmer wild fig, and Brandegee wild fig. This plant grows best with moderate water and partial shade, and is often found growing on sheer canyon walls, cliffs, and mountain rocks, where its roots cascade down the surface as if melted and poured over the rock face. It can also be grown in desert vivaria and trained to look like bonsai.