Ficus albipila

(Miq.) King

Rocket Fig, Abbey Tree, Poison Fig

Moraceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 52 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ficus albipila, the abbey tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and Queensland. It is a widespread rainforest tree reaching 35 m (115 ft).

Description

A fig. It is a tall tree. It grows 20-30 m high and spreads 15-25 m wide. The crown is widely spreading. The trunk is long. There are buttresses at the base. The bark is grey with green blotches. Young shoots have soft white hairs. The leaves are alternate. They are 10-14 cm long by 7-10 cm wide. They are oval or heart shaped. The leaf stalks are 2.5-4 cm long. Leaves taper to the tip. The fig is 1-2 cm across. They are black and in the axils of leaves. They are covered with white hairs.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The sap is irritating.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 270 m altitude. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia*, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, SE Asia,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. They can probably also be grown by aerial layering.

Notes

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America. The sap is irritating.

Synonyms

Covellia albipila Miq.Ficus colossea Benth.

Also Known As

Pohon ara ratu

References (6)

Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 322
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 280
Flora of Australia, Volume 3, Hamamelidales to Casuarinales, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1989) p 50, 51
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 66
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 280

Show all 6 references