Ficus hirta
Vahl
Five-finger hairy fig, Rough leaf fig
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Hugo To, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) bonds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) kwokwokwo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A fig. It is a shrub or small tree. It grows to 2-4 m high. The branches and leaves are hairy with yellow hairs. The leafy structure at the base of the leaf is red, oval and 1-3 cm long. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 12-40 cm long by 8-35 cm wide. They are broadly oval. They often have 3-5 lobes. The leaves have small teeth around the edge and are roughly hairy underneath. The base is rounded. The fruit are fuzzy and berry like. They are yellow-orange to red when ripe. They are borne close to the stem. Some varieties have been described based on the size of the figs and the hairiness of the leaves.
Edible Uses
Ripe figs are eaten fresh and sold in local Chinese markets. Very young shoots and leaves are eaten raw as a salad with rice or cooked, and are used in fermenting soybean. Roots are used to make tea.
Traditional Uses
The ripe figs are eaten fresh. The very young shoots and leaves are eaten raw as a side salad with rice. They are also cooked. They are also used in fermenting soybean.
Medicinal Uses
Root tea is traditionally prepared.
Distribution
A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1000 m altitude. In S China it grows in forests and near forest edges and on mountain slopes and open land near villages from 100-1400 m altitude. In Sikkim it grows between 400-1,000 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.
Propagation
Seed - germinates best at a temperature around 20°c. Air layering. Tip cuttings around 4 - 12cm long, taken from lateral branches.
Production
In NE Thailand fruit are available May to June.
Other Information
The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is sold in local markets in China.
Notes
There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.
Synonyms
Also Known As
AAk-tay, Acalama axi, Bainamchyubawng, Boowah kontol monjet, Bulana biu, Cu ye rong, Dieng-soh-rompain, Gegedangan, Indew-ching, Ingthum, Ji zi o si, Kakalapaan, Khahatya, Khasray, Khasre khanu, Khongal dimoru, Khoroo, Khosa, Khwe-ka-dut, Kyasha-tha-phan, Lavadey, Maduea-khon, Mhow, Nawi-hawng, Pangsem, Pohon ara bebulu, Sa-zu-thei-pui, Sumsat, Takpi, Tajik, Wamo dousou, We zhi mao tao
References (32)
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- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 155
- Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 5
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