Ficus abutilifolia

Ficus abutilifolia, the large-leaved rock fig, is a species of African rock-splitting fig that occurs in two disjunct regions, one population north, and another south of the equator. The two populations are pollinated by different fig wasps, and are morphologically distinct. It is named for the similarity of its broadly ovate leaves to that of Abutilon. It is virtually restricted to cliff faces and rock outcrops, and is easily recognized from its large, glabrous leaves and smooth, pale bark.

Description

A fig. It is a shrub or medium sized tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 6-10 m high and spreads 6 m wide. It can also be a bush 3-4 m high. The crown can spread widely and the bush is almost round. The bark is smooth and creamy-white. The trunk is twisted and branches low down. The branches are stout. The leaves are large and almost round. The leaves are alternate and leathery. They have a deep notch in the base. They are bright green and the veins are red. The leaves are 5-15 cm long by 5-17 cm wide. The figs are on the ends of small branches in the axils of leaves. They are 1-1.6 cm across. They are smooth or slightly hairy. The fruit are figs produced either singly or in small groups. They are green with cream spots. They are red when ripe. They have a very short stalk.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. Usually very palatable, but they can be somewhat sour, and insipid. They can be dried for later use. The fruits are 15 - 25mm in diameter. Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are only eaten very occasionally.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. Figs can be dried and stored. Leaves are occasionally eaten. Aerial roots are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Decoctions prepared from the leaves are used in promoting fertility in humans. The leaves are used as a remedy against stomach aches. The milky latex derived from the plant is applied externally to remove skin warts. A decoction of the bark is taken by men as a strengthening tonic.

Distribution

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It normally grows over rock outcrops in full sun. It is damaged by frost. It grows in dry areas. It can grow in arid places. It grows in savannah and is often on rocky sites. It grows from cracks and crevices and splits the rocks. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,360 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. The seeds are small and need to be mixed with sand for sowing. Fresh seeds should be used. Seedlings transplant well. The pollinating wasps are Nigeriella fusciceps Wiebes and Elisabethiella comptoni Wiebes.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination can be expected within 10 - 30 days depending on temperature and the freshness of the seed - fresh seed and warm temperatures will favour more rapid germination. Seedlings should be placed in a sunny position and eventually transplanted into a well-drained sandy mix rich in organic matter. Cuttings are not as easy as many other species in this genus, but can be successful. Take softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, around 20 - 25cm long. Remove the lower leaves from the stem. Insert into a washed river sand mix and place in a misting unit, or if this is not available, place the tray with cuttings inside a clear plastic bag to reduce the adverse effects of transpiration. These should root within a month and be ready for transplanting in a further 3 - 4 weeks into a rich, well-drained medium.

Other Uses

The wood is light and soft, yet tough. It becomes a yellow-brown when dry and works easily and polishes well but on the whole it is not of much use to people. This species belongs to the 'rock splitting' group of figs which are confined to rocky habitats, often germinating on bare rock surfaces. Their roots penetrate small cracks in the rocks and, as the roots grow larger, they can end up causing large splits in the rock. The tree can be grown as an ornamental, but because of its aggressive root system it is advisable to keep it away from buildings, paved areas and swimming pools.

Production

Seedlings grow slowly at first.

Notes

There are about 800 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Danehi, Fatuma bidia, Foloka, Grootblaarrotsvy, Gyedua, Hobanhobata, Mfawa, Mubungu-bungu, Yandi

References (31)

• Achigan-Dako, E, et al (Eds), 2009, Catalogue of Traditional Vegetables in Benin. International Foundation for Science.
• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 3:288. 1867-1868 ("1867")
• Avouhou, H. T., et al, 2012, Ethnobotanical Factors Influencing the Use and Management of Wild Edible Plants in Agricultural Environments in Benin. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. Vol. 10:571-592
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.

More from Moraceae

Ficus elegans

Ficus elmeri

Ficus enormis

Enormis fig

Ficus erythrosperma

Ficus exasperata

White fig tree, Forest sandpaper fig

Ficus fischeri

Poplar-leaved fig