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Ficus krishnae C.DC.
| Family Name: | Moraceae |
| Synonyms: | Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae (C.DC.) Corner |
| Common Name: | Krishna's Butter Cup, Krishna Fig, Makhan Katori, Krishna's Cup, Sacred Fig Tree |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A medium sized tree up to 30 m tall, with many aerial roots. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are elliptic-ovate, measuring up to 30 cm long and 20 cm wide. The unique feature of this tree is that the basal part of the leaf forms a cup, which varies in size and shape in different leaves. |
| Flowers | This tree is monoecious (male and female flowers on the same plant). |
| Fruit | The fruits are globose, measuring up to 2.5 cm in diameter, usually borne in pairs in leaf axils, red when ripe. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet benghalensis refers that plants are native to Bengal. Krishna’s butter cup refers to the myth that Lord Krishna rolled the leaf of this tree to hide the butter. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Shade Providing Tree / Palm |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1608 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2901 |
| 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. |
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