Ficus vasta
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFicus vasta (Amharic: ዋርካ; Warka), (Arabic: تالوقة; Talouqa) is a fig plant found in Ethiopia and Yemen. The tree is a species of sycamore-fig.
Description
A fig. It is a tree. It grows up to 25 m tall. The crown is spreading and rounded. Sometimes the tree grows attached to other plants. The young branches are thick with soft dense hairs. They are 5-12 mm thick. They are yellow-brown. The leaves are stiff and almost round. They are 8-25 cm long by 4-23 cm wide. The tip is rounded but often with a blunt point. The leaf base is rounded and heart shaped. The leaf stalk is 3-12 cm long and hairy. The veins below the leaf are well marked. The veins fork near the edge of the leaf. The fruit are figs. One or 2 occur together near the leaves. They hardly have any stalk. They are almost round and 2 cm across. They are green with paler spots when ripe. The figs are hairy but have a clear opening.
Edible Uses
The figs are edible, and being collected by children. They are also eaten by sheep, goats, monkeys (including baboons), and birds. The figs can be eaten right off the tree, or when half-dry, or when dry. Dry figs are usually stored and eaten as needed.
Traditional Uses
The ripe figs are eaten raw. They can be dried and eaten stewed.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in dry savannah near rivers. In East Africa it grows between 1,400-2,500 m altitude.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen,
Cultivation
Plants grow naturally from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. The figs have plenty of seed and these should be extracted from the figs and dried before planting. Seed can be stored for 2 months. Plants should be put at a wide spacing. The pollinating wasp is Elisabethiella socotrensis (Mayr.).
Other Information
The fruit are eaten especially by children. They are popular.
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
Ardayida, Artyita, Bowa, Eborboriei, Fofeya, Kiltu, Leiya, Mara'ho, Mukuyu, Mumbu, Olam, Pwoyo, Qilxo, Qilxu, Shabi, Tauluq, Tiq, Tiq, Warka, Wela, Wompa
References (29)
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- 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
- Addis, G., et al, 2013, The Role of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants in Household Food Sovereignty in Hamer and Konso Communities, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 11:251-271
- Alemneh, D., 2020, Ethnobotany of wild edible plants in Yilmana Densa and Quarit Districts of West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 20:47
- Al-Fatimi, M. A., Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Collected and Used in Southern Yemen. Research Square. University of Aden. p 19
Show all 29 references Hide references
- Asfaw, Z. and Tadesse, M., 2001, Prospects for Sustainable Use and Development of Wild Food Plants in Ethiopia. Economic Botany, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 47-62
- Assefa, A. & Abebe, T., 2010, Wild Edible Trees and Shrubs in the Semi-arid Lowlands of Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Science and Development 1 (1) 2010
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- www.figweb.org
