The enduringly popular ficus plants belong to the fig genus. Although only a few are seen in cultivation, there are hundreds of species of ficus. They are native throughout the tropics, including Asia, America and Africa. These are extremely important plants, as decorative plants, food plants and even religious symbols. The famous Bodhi tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment was a Ficus religiosa. In their native habitats, ficus are often landscape trees with hanging and buttressed roots and a magnificent crown. In the home, ficus are beautiful specimen plants that can provide many years of lush foliage.