Ficus tinctoria, also known asdye fig, orhumped fig is ahemiepiphytic tree in the genusFicus. It is also one of the species known as astrangler fig.[3]
It is found inAsia,Malesia, northernAustralia, and the South Pacific islands.[3] It grows in moist valleys.[4]
Palms are favorable host species. Root systems of dye fig can come together to be self-sustaining, but the epiphyte usually falls if the host tree dies or rots away.[5]
InAustralia it is recorded as a medium-sized tree with smooth, oval green leaves.[3] It is found often growing in rocky areas or over boulders.[3] The leaves are asymmetrical.[6]
The small rust-brown fruit of the dye fig are the source of a reddye used in traditional fabric making in parts ofOceania andIndonesia.
The fruit is also edible and constitute as a major food source in the low-lyingatolls ofMicronesia andPolynesia.[7]
^Liu W., Wang P., Li J., Liu Wenyao, and Li Hongmei (2014), Plasticity of source‐water acquisition in epiphytic, transitional and terrestrial growth phases ofFicus tinctoria,Ecohydrol., 7; pages 1524–1533,doi:10.1002/eco.1475
