Ficus ingens
(Miq.) Miq.
Red-leaved rock fig
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFicus ingens, the red-leaved fig, is a fig species with an extensive range in the subtropical to dry tropical regions of Africa and southern Arabia. Despite its specific name, which means "huge", or "vast", it is usually a shrub or tree of modest proportions. It is a fig of variable habit depending on the local climate and substrate, typically a stunted subshrub on elevated rocky ridges, or potentially a large tree on warmer plains and lowlands. In 1829 the missionary Robert Moffat found a rare giant specimen, into which seventeen thatch huts of a native tribe were placed, so as to be out of reach of lions.
Description
A fig. It is a small tree which loses its leaves. It is an erect tree and has a spreading crown. It grows up to 15 m tall. The branches touch the ground. It grows attached to other plants. The leaves are oval. They are 6-15 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. They are pale green and thinly textured. The new leaves are red. The base is slightly lobed and it tapers towards the tip. The fig fruit grow in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are round and 1-1.5 cm across. They are pale yellow or pink when ripe.
Edible Uses
The ripe figs are eaten raw, particularly by children. Young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Traditional Uses
The figs are eaten raw. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
A maceration of the leaves is used as a treatment against malaria. A latex obtained from the plant is disinfectant.
Distribution
A tropical plant. They usually grow on dry rocky soils. It is often on rocky slopes in cracks in the rocks. In Zimbabwe they grow between 300 and 1450 m altitude but are mostly at lower altitudes. They grow where the rainfall is below 100 mm. It can grow with annual rainfall between 100-1,300 mm. It is drought resistant. It grows between sea level and 2,100 m above sea level. It grows in the Sahel.
Where It Grows
Africa, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Rwanda, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Fruit should be collected before they drop and the seeds removed. The seeds are small and need to be sown with fine sand. Seeds germinate in 15-30 days. Cuttings can be of softwood or hardwood. They root easily. The wasp pollinator is Platyscapa soraria Wiebes.
Propagation
Seed - Cuttings.
Other Uses
A latex obtained from the plant is used as a disinfectant. It can be used as a substitute for iodine.
Production
Young seedlings grow slowly.
Other Information
The fruit are especially eaten by children.
Notes
There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 75.2 | 255 | 61 | 1.6 | — | 7.6 | 2 | 0.8 |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bithu, Dharef, Idotsi, Inkhokhokho, Inkimane, Inkiwane, Ja-Ja, Kazu, Kunkwiya, Kwece-kwece, Laze, Lugo, Makiwani, Monogani, Mooma, Msombe, mu-Karenju, Mulumba, Mushavhi, Mutsamvi, Muumo, Nkuwa, N'tonbozi, Ndebela, Ndola, Oduru, Qilinxo, Rooiblaavy, Shirinya, Tinaita, Tinayta, Tshikululu, Umkhonswane, Umthombe
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