Ficus auriculata

Ficus auriculata is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae. This fig tree is sometimes referred to by the common names Roxburgh fig and Elephant ear tree and is noted for its big and round leaves and edible fruit. It is native to subtropical and tropical Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, South-Central and Southeast China, East and West Himalaya, Hainan, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.

Description

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 5-10 m high. The trunk is 30-50 cm across but often less. The crown is broadly spreading. The trunk is usually not straight. The bark is warty and grey. Young shoots are hollow. The young shoots are reddish brown. They are 1-1.5 cm across. The leafy structure at the base of the leaf is triangle shaped and reddish brown. It is 1.5-2 cm long. The leaves are alternate and 10-25-55 cm long by 7-23-27 cm wide. They are rounded and softly hairy underneath. The base is normally deeply heart shaped. There can be small teeth along the leaf edge. The figs grow on the base of the trunk and on short branches of old stems. The fruit is 5-7 cm across. It is green when young and dark red when ripe. The fruit is sweet and with a sweet smell. There are ribs along the fruit.

Edible Uses

Ripe fruits are eaten raw or made into jams and curries; green fruits are used as a vegetable. Young leaves can be eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable. Flowers are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet. They are also made into jams and used in curries. Green fruit are used as a vegetable. The young leaves can be eaten raw. They are also boiled and used as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses

The fresh fruit of this plant is consumed as food, and has diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties. Ficus auriculata is used as fodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight. The large leaves, often up to 21 in (533.4 mm) long and 12 in (304.8 mm) wide are used as plates.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It needs light and humidity. It grows up to 700-800 m altitude. It is most common about 100-400 m altitude. It often grows along rivers. In Nepal it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In China it grows in moist valleys in forests between 100-1700 m altitude and sometimes to 2100 m in S China. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can be cut back and regrow. Hand pollination can probably increase fruit size. It can be grown by marcottage.

Propagation

Seed - germinates best at a temperature around 20°c. Air layering. Tip cuttings around 4 - 12cm long, taken from lateral branches.

Other Uses

The leaves are used as plates. Although small, the wood is hard and is used to make household utensils. The wood is used for fuel. The tree is planted in erosion control programmes.

Production

It is fast growing. In Nagaland fruit are available June to August.

Other Information

It is a cultivated plant. Leaves and fruit are sold in local markets.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anjoora, Ara, Athi, Beliblo, Chidoshi, Chodoshi, Choma, Dabgo, Da guo rong, Dhusi, Doshi, Dusi, Elephant ear fig, Fagoora, Ghider thaikhro, Gopa, Heibong, Hider thaikhro, Hute, Kaitak, Kakbal-takukasing, Ka-ohn, Kaung-oat-tee, Kelebok, Khavu, Kukbal takuk, Lagum, Long o biu, Lothepi, Mamojang, Mangtan, Mon dimoru, Mu gua cai, Na-gum, Na sha er zi, Nebaro, Nebharo, Nee ri, Nevaro, Newaro, Ngoa, Nimaro, Nuoge biu, Pak wa, Papaya fig, Pawa, Pha-owl, Phak-ohn, Phok, Saipho, Shupu, Sin-thahpan, Sipu, Taba, Takuk, Tapang, Thaibor, Tha-phan, Theiba, Thei-bal, Theichang, Theichong, Theipi, Thu-phak-lu-sang, Timal, Timila, Timilo, Timla, Timli, Timlo, Timlu, Tirmal, Toubu dhu, Tramble, Trembal, Triambal, Trimbal, Txiv ncuav pias, Va, Va', Wuwa, Xiang er rong, Xi bu, Xibuabo, Xibulao

References (102)

• Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 221
• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 211
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 71
• Aryal, K. P. et al, 2009, Uncultivated Plants and Livehood Support - A case study from the Chepang people of Nepal. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 7:409-422

More from Moraceae

Artocarpus integer

Chempedak

Artocarpus integer var. sylvestris

Bangkong

Artocarpus kemando

Pudau, Pudu

Artocarpus lacucha

Monkey Jack, Lakoocha

Artocarpus lowii

Miku

Artocarpus maingayi