Er, I have just rec'd a plant from a well-meaning friend and would really like for this to be the one plant I don't kill through complete ineptitude. No tags, of course, but supposedly it's a ficus. I know what a traditional rubber plant looks like, and this isn't one of those. 2 1/2' tall, four slender main trunks, myriad branches, abundant leaves (glossy rich green, 1" w by 2" l). Also has some bulbous growths on one of the trunks. Anyway, it needs a lot of help if it's going to survive my 'black thumb'. W/o a pic, can anyone give me a clue? LEP

LEP, welcome to the garden helper. without a picture, i can't definitely identify your plant, but i do have to tell you, ficus is a very large group of plants. none of which look anything alike! from your description, rather than a ficus elastica (rubber plant) you might have a ficus benjamina (what is commonly referred to as a "ficus" tree due to it's ability to be trained as a potted "mini" tree). here are some links to some pictures so you can see if one of these fit your plant.

ficus benjamina
ficus elastica
ficus lyrata

Hello
Glad to have you here at The Garden Helpers Forum.
We have a few House plant people that cruise through here every so often, and if you'll just sit tight, they'll be through...
Bill, Will Creed, TomR, Boxmonkey, oh, my gosh, can't think of the rest right now,
so, if you'll sit tight someone will help.

Is there any way to get a picture posted,
usually that's a faster way to let our gardeners
see the plants first hand and a quicker analasis.

Welcome aboard again, while, you're waiting, make sure you look around while you're here, we've added lot's of great sections here, Banter Hall and Crafts and Creativities and Hobbies.......
Don't forget if you can answer a question or two for someone else, feel free to do so...

Weezie

Thanks so much! It looks very much like the picture of ficus benjamina sent by jiffymouse. Now I can study up on it and perhaps keep it alive and (dare I say it)even healthy. There must be a gardener in me somewhere. . . I must say, this is a lovely website.

LEP,
Hope you'll stick around and enjoy the site somemore.....Add anything you'd like in the
new sections....
And if you have anymore questions,
we'll be here!!
Weezie

LEP,

I have written an article on the care of Ficus benjamina that I will gladly e-mail to you (or anyone else), if you like. Just send you request to me at wcreed@HorticultiuralHelp.com.