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Ficus auriculata

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Ficus auriculata Lour.

Family Name: Moraceae
Synonyms: Ficus roxburghii
Common Name: Broad-leaf Fig, Roxburgh Fig, Giant Indian Fig, Elephant Ear Fig Tree, Himalaya Fig Tree, Ara, Anjir, Kelebok, Nangtan, 大果榕

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Umbrella
Maximum Height 3 m to 5 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 5 m to 7 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Himalayas, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Indochina
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Small, non-strangling fig tree, with widely-spreading crown, low branching and short stout trunk. Injured surfaces produce cream-coloured latex. Leaves large (30x30cm), heart-shaped, prominently-veined, hairy underneath; young leaves pinkish-brown.Fleshy fruit-like structures (synconiums) produced in clusters directly on basal branches and trunk -- a phenomenon known as cauliflory. Synconiums large and hollow, bearing numerous tiny flowers on inner wall. Wild forms are divided into gall trees (male and gall flowers in same fig) and seed trees (female flowers), which are pollinated by fig wasps. Cultivated forms apparently parthenogenic, produce only female figs and are not visited by wasps. Synconiums ripen from reddish-brown to speckled reddish-purple, becoming fragrant, sweet and edible upon maturity.Likes well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Eye-catching large leaves make tree suitable as specimen plant in parks and large gardens. Species epithet 'auriculata' (meaning ear-like) describes shape of leaves or scales around fig's opening (ostiole).
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves
Food (Herb or Spice) (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Young figs are quite tasteless, but either eaten raw with sambal belacan, or cooked with mutton curry. Ripe figs used to make jams. Infusion of leaves consumed in Malaysia to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. Young leaves used as fodder for cattle and other livestock.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Fruits), Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses General, Focal Plant
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment
Usage Hazard - Cons Weak Branches, Low Crown / Clearance
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Lower branches tend to break after storm due to weight of rainwater collected on large leaves.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Associated with: Flowers pollinated by fig wasp (Ceratosolen emarginatus)., Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Drought Tolerant, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Marcotting
Maintenance Requirements Remarks Remove mature fruits from base of trunk, or else the rotted fruits will litter the ground below.
Planting Distance 10 m

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Raised / Sunken Veins, Thin
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Red
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Bark Colour(s) Pale brown
Mature Bark Texture Scaly, Smooth
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root)
Mature Bark Texture Remarks Bark of young tree is smooth, becoming rougher as tree matures.

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White
Flower Size - Remarks Tiny and numerous, held on inner wall of synconium structure.
Inflorescence Type Syconium
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Purple, Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Multiple Syconium (receptacle)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1604
Species ID 2897
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 06 March 2023.
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