Ficus americana
Aubl.
Jamaica fig, West Indian laurel fig
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFicus americana, commonly known as the West Indian laurel fig or Jamaican cherry fig, is a tree in the family Moraceae which is native to Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico in the north, through Central and South America south to central Brazil. The species is variable; the five recognised subspecies were previously placed in a large number of other species.
Description
A fig. It is a shrub or tree. It can be 30 m tall. The trunk can be 30 cm across. The leaves are 2-8 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The figs occur in pairs in the axils of leaves. They are 3-7 mm across.
Edible Uses
The fruit (figs) are edible.
Medicinal Uses
The latex from the stems is taken internally to relieve a sore stomach. The latex is used externally in a plaster to soothe abdominal pains.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles*, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America*, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Indies*,
Cultivation
The flowers are pollinated by the fig wasp Pegoscapus clusiifolidis.
Other Uses
The sapwood is whitish and soft. The wood is soft, fairly light in weight, weak, and not durable. It is used for posts. The wood is used for fuel.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Matapalo, Renaco
References (6)
- Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 251
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 369
- Plants of Haiti Smithsonian Institute http://botany.si.edu/antilles/West Indies
- Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
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- Wikipedia
