| Roxburgh fig | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F.subg. Sycomorus |
| Species: | F. auriculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus auriculata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
List
| |
Ficus auriculata (theRoxburgh fig,Elephant ear tree) is a type of fig tree, native to subtropical and tropical mainland Asia.[2] It is noted for its big and round leaves and edible fruit.
This plant is a small tree of 5–10 m (16–33 ft) high with numerous bristle-covered branches. The leaves are big and round, and are up to 44 cm (17 in) long and 45 cm (18 in) wide, with cordate or rounded base, acute apex, and 5–7 main veins from the leaf base. Its petioles are up to 15 cm (6 in) long, and it has stipules of about 2.5 cm (1 in) long. The plant has oblatesyconium that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) wide, covered with yellowpubescence, and emerge from the trunk or old branches of the tree.[3][4]Ficus auriculata isdioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate individuals.[5] On ripening, the fruits turn from light yellow to purple. The fruit is a fleshy receptacle. The fruits form as large clusters on the trunk, on branches and also on the roots.[6]
Fruit extracts contain manyphenolic compounds (Gaire et al. 2011).[7]
It was first published by Portuguese BotanistJoão de Loureiro (1717–1791), in Fl. Cochinch. on page 666 in 1790.[2]
It is commonly known as theRoxburgh fig,[8] which is named after botanistWilliam Roxburgh, who was appointed Superintendent of theCalcutta Botanical Gardens by theEast India Company in 1793. Experiments carried out on fruitingFicus auriculata trees at the Calcutta Botanic Gardens by the then SuperintendentGeorge King and his Botanic Garden colleagues described in King in 1897 which was the first detailed explanation of how the dioecious figs were pollinated by fig wasps which bred in the figs of male trees and then flew to female fig trees to pollinate the female figs.[9] It is also known asElephant Ear Fig Tree,Elephant Ear Tree andGiant Indian Fig, due to the leaves, asauricle is the Latin word for ear, referring to the two 'ears' at the base of heart shaped leaf.[6]
The native range of this species stretches from north-eastern Pakistan to southern China and the Malaysian peninsula. It is found in the countries (and regions) of Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, southern China, East and West Himalaya, Hainan, India, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam.[2]
It grows in forests in moist valleys,[3] growing along stream banks.[6]
Ceratosolen emarginatus is an insect that helps to pollinate this plant.[10][11]
The fresh fruit of this plant is consumed as food, and has diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties.[4]Ficus auriculata is used asfodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight.[12]
The large leaves, often up to 21 in (533.4 mm) long and 12 in (304.8 mm) wide are used asplates.[6]
The tree is susceptible toscale. It also has minor issues withgall,mealy bugs,thrips,whitefly, andspider mite.[6]
Data related toFicus auriculata at Wikispecies
Media related toFicus auriculata at Wikimedia Commons