Ficus virens

Aiton ex Dryander

White Fig, Banyan, Deciduous Fig

Moraceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves 2,877 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ficus virens is a semi-deciduous plant of the genus Ficus found in Pakistan, India, east and Southeast Asia, through Malaysia and into Northern Australia. Its common name is white fig; it is locally known as pilkhan and in the Kunwinjku language it is called manbornde. Like many figs, its fruits are edible. One of the most famous specimens of this tree is the Curtain Fig Tree of the Atherton Tableland, near Cairns, a popular tourist attraction. Another famous example is the Tree of Knowledge in Darwin. Ficus virens var. sublanceolata occurs the subtropical rainforest of northeastern New South Wales, and south eastern Queensland in Australia.

Description

A fig. It is a tall and often very large tree. It can lose all or some of its leaves during the year. It grows 15-30 m high and spreads 15-40 m across. It is a widely spreading plant often with a rounded crown. It can have both strangling roots and aerial roots. The trunk is short and very thick. It has irregular flanges on it and buttresses. It can have a mass of prop roots. The bark is dark grey to brown. Young shoots are bright green. The leafy growth at the base of the leaf is sword shaped and 10 cm long. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. The leaves are 6-15-20 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped and thin but leathery. They are dark green above but with pale veins and leaves are dull underneath. The male and female flowers occur in the one fig. The male flowers are few and near the opening. The fruit or figs are about 1 cm across. They are round and greenish white to brown with white or red dots. They are wrinkled on the surface. Varieties with different leaf shapes have been described.

Edible Uses

The leaves are known in Thai cuisine as phak liap (Thai: ผักเลียบ). They are eaten boiled as a vegetable in Northern Thai curries, referred to in the Northern dialect as phak hueat (ผักเฮือด).

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. The young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are also used in soup. The buds or stipules are boiled to give a sour taste.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the bark is used as an injection in the treatment of leucorrhoea[240. Applied externally, a bark decoction is used as a wash on ulcers and as a gargle in salivation.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in a range of locations including rocky outcrops and rainforest. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in dry and humid regions. It is damaged by frost. In China it grows between 300-2700 m altitude in S China. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan. In Townsville Queens BG.

Where It Grows

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, East Timor, Egypt, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Trees can be grown from seed or aerial layers. Cuttings from young shoots strike easily. It often naturally starts in the fork of a host tree and eventually strangles and kills the other tree.

Other Uses

The latex is used for caulking boats and waterproofing. The light coloured wood is soft and porous. The wood, including the aerial roots, is used locally in light construction, tool making etc. The wood is used for fuel. Grown as a shade tree in coffee plantations.

Production

Trees grow quickly. In Australia, fruit mature June to October.

Other Information

It is a preferred vegetable. It is 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.

Synonyms

Ficus carolinensis Warb.Ficus cunninghamii (Miquel) MiquelFicus infectoria Miq.Ficus infectoria Roxb. var. lambertiana KingFicus lacor Buch.-Ham.Ficus lucescens BlumeUrostigma lambartiana Miq.and others

Also Known As

Aaw, Albayi, Amchar, Biguan Rong, Chakkila, Ge bpong yang, Gelong den, Hishi, Hpak-hi, Kabra, Labra, Lu huang ge shu, Neme adao, Niza bao, Nuo na zi, Nyaung-chin, Nyaung-gyin, Nyaung-shin, Pakar, Pakur, Pa luo, Payer, Pen-cap banyan, Phak lueat, Pilkhan, Putkal, Sour buds tree, Suan bao shu

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