Ficus auriculata

Ficus auriculata, the Roxburgh fig,[2] is a type of fig tree, native to Asia,[3] noted for its big and round leaves.

Roxburgh fig
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Subgenus: F. subg. Sycomorus
Species:
F. auriculata
Binomial name
Ficus auriculata
Synonyms

Ficus sclerocarpa Griff.
Ficus roxburghii Wall. ex Steud.
Ficus rotundifolia Roxb.
Ficus regia Miq.
Ficus pomifera Wall. ex King
Ficus oligodon Miq.
Ficus hainanensis Merr. & Chun
Ficus imperialis G.W.Johnson & R.Hogg
Ficus beipeiensis S.S.Chang
Covellia macrophylla (Roxb. ex Sm.) Miq.

Description

This plant is a small tree of 5–10 m (16–33 ft) high with numerous bristle-covered branches. The leaves are big and round, and are up to 44 cm (17 in) long and 45 cm (18 in) wide, with cordate or rounded base, acute apex, and 5–7 main veins from the leaf base. Its petioles are up to 15 cm (6 in) long, and it has stipules of about 2.5 cm (1 in) long. The plant has oblate syconium that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) wide, covered with yellow pubescence, and emerge from the trunk or old branches of the tree.[4] Ficus auriculata is dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate individuals.[5] It grows in forests in moist valleys.[3]

Ceratosolen emarginatus is the insect that helps to pollinate this plant.[6][7]

Uses

The fresh fruit of this plant is consumed as food, and has diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties.[4] Ficus auriculata is used as fodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight.[8]

  • Fruit emerging from trunk and branches
    Fruit emerging from trunk and branches
  • Leaf of elephant ear fig
    Leaf of elephant ear fig
  • Fruit
    Fruit
  • Leaf
    Leaf
  • Fruit
    Fruit
  • Seeds
    Seeds

References
  1. Shao, Q.; Zhao, L.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Ficus auriculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T147637124A147637126. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T147637124A147637126.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Ficus auriculata". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  3. "29. Ficus auriculata". Flora of China.
  4. Tanaka, Yoshitaka; Van Ke, Nguyen (2007). Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden. Thailand: Orchid Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-9745240896.
  5. Kuaraksa, Cherdsak; Elliott, Stephen; Hossaert-Mckey, Martine (2012). "The phenology of dioecious Ficus spp. Tree species and its importance for forest restoration projects". Forest Ecology and Management. 265: 82–93. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.022.
  6. LI Zong-Bo; YANG Pei; PENG Yan-Qiong; YANG Da-Rong (2012). "Distribution and ultramorphology of antennal sensilla in female Ceratosolen emarginatus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), a specific pollinator of Ficus auriculata". Acta Entomologica Sinica. 55 (11): 1272–1281.
  7. van Noort, S.; Rasplus, J.-Y. (2018). "Ficus auriculata Loureiro, 1790". Figweb. Iziko Museums of South Africa.
  8. "Ficus auriculata". ForestryNepal. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
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