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Ficus sinuata Thunb.

Family Name:	Moraceae
Synonyms:	Ficus rostrata Lam.

Ficus sinuata is a shrub or small tree up to 6 m tall with drooping branches. The leaves are variable in shapes, bristles found sparsely scattered along the veins on the underside. The basal vein run parallel to the margin, 1/8 to 1/4 of the length of the blade. Occurring in clusters underneath the foliage, the figs are almost round to elliptic, and turning orange to red upon maturity.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Shrub

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Northeast India to Thailand, Sumatra (including Riau Archipelago), Malay Peninsula, Java, Borneo, Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a shrub or small tree that grows to 6 m tall with drooping branches. It often starts of as an epiphyte or epilithic (growing on rocks) before taking roots on the ground.
Foliage	The leaves are leathery, slightly irregular in appearance, comes in a range of shapes; oblong, elliptic, spoon to lance-shaped, and measuring 4 - 26 cm long by 1.5 - 10 cm wide. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth while stiff hairs (hispid) are sparsely scattered along the veins on the underside. Each leaf has 6 - 10 (- 17) pairs of lateral veins. The lowest most veins are slightly different from the other pairs. Most lateral veins are 45° to 90° away from the midrib whereas the basal veins run close and almost parallel to the margin, about 1/8 to 1/4 the length of its leaf blade.
Flowers	Flowers are entirely enclosed inside the synconium which is also known as a fig. Each fig contains hundreds of tiny flowers.

Fruit	The figs are produced underneath the leaves, along the axils. They are produced in clusters on spurs, occasionally singly or in pairs. The figs are almost round to elliptic, about 0.3 - 0.8 cm in diameter, and turning orange to red upon maturity.
Habitat	It occurs in forests at altitudes up to 1700 m. <1>
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Glossy / Shiny

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Lanceolate, Oblong, Obovate)
Foliar Venation	Recticulate
Foliar Margin	Crenate, Dentate, Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Caudate
Foliar Base	Cuneate, Oblique / Asymmetrical, Rounded / Obtuse

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Axillary
Inflorescence Type	Syconium
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

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

References

References	<1> Berg, C.C. & Corner, E.J.H. (2005). Ficus. In: Berg, C.C. & Corner, E.J.H. (eds) Moraceae: Ficeae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, Seed Plants, vol. 17, pt. 2, pp. 288 - 289. Leiden: Rijksherbarium.

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Master ID	33869
Species ID	8285
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.