Ficus Retusa / Banyan Fig ?

[palmersmith]

I have just bought a Ficus Retusa / Banyan Fig thinking it was on the "Live Plant Database" but i was wrong ...
Does anybody know if this plant is poisonous in any shape or form ?
Thanks,
Josh

 

[jojackson]

Josh, its ficus, its on the list. 'Retusa', 'benjamin' etc refers to the particular strain/cultivar/sub sp. etc.
Ficus is considered non toxic if eaten, but if you break off a leaf stalk, it exudes a white sap that is an irritant.
There is some risk of eye irritation/infection from the sap if your lizard should manage to get it in its eyes. Its up to you.

 

[laurie]

Wow I would take any kind of banyon tree I could get!! That is one of the things I miss about Hawaii. I might not give it to my chams but I sure would love to have one. Anyone know of a bonsai banyon? I could even grow that in Montana. I do have ficus in most of my chams with no known problems.

 

[palmersmith]

I think i will take a chance with using it with my cham because if i see her nearly breaking a stalk then i will take it out ...
Thanks,
Josh