| Ficus racemosa | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F.subg. Sycomorus |
| Species: | F. racemosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus racemosa | |
| Synonyms | |
Ficus glomerataRoxb. | |
Ficus racemosa, thecluster fig,red river fig orgular (Hindi:गूलर),[2] is a species of plant in the mulberry familyMoraceae. It is native totropical Asia andAustralia. It is a fast-growing plant with large, very coarse leaves, attaining the size of a large shrub or even larger in old specimens. A distinctive feature of its growth habit is thecauliflorous nature of its fruiting, where thesyconia (figs) grow in dense clusters directly from the trunk and larger branches. The ripe figs are a favourite food of therhesus macaque, and the plant also serves as a host for the caterpillars of the two-brand crowbutterfly (Euploea sylvester) of northern Australia.[3]
The species is of cultural importance in Hinduism and Buddhism. The tree is also important to native people ofBorneo such as inSabah, Malaysia, where it is calledNunuk Ragang.[4]
The cluster fig isdeciduous orsemi-deciduous, reaching 15–20 metres (49–66 ft) in height. Older specimens can grow quite large and gnarled, up to 30 metres (98 ft) high. It has a wide-spreading crown with irregular branches and a thick, often buttressed trunk covered in smooth greyish bark that may flake with age.[5] Like other species in the genusFicus, the tree produces milky latex which can irritate the skin. The tree has a shallow and extensive root system, often developingaerial roots in humid environments.
The leaves of the cluster fig aresimple andalternate, with lanceolatestipules measuring 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) in length that arepubescent and often persistent on young shoots. Thepetiole is slender, grooved along the upper side, 1–5 centimetres (0.39–1.97 in) long, and becomes brown and scurfy with age. The leaf blade (lamina) ranges from 6–15 centimetres (2.4–5.9 in) long and 3.5–6 centimetres (1.4–2.4 in) wide, and ovate, obovate, elliptic-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate in shape. The surface is membranous andglabrous, often developing a blistered appearance upon drying.[6]
The flowers are unisexual and borne within asyconium, developing on short leafless branches, warty tubercles of the trunk or larger branches. The syconia are subglobose to pear-shaped, attached by a stoutpeduncle.Fig wasps such asCeratosolen sp. pollinate the flowers by entering theostiole, which is flat or slightly sunken.[7] The mature syconium measures about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in diameter and turns orange or dark crimson when ripe, containing granulateachenes.[6]
The cluster fig is native toSouth Asia,Southeast Asia and northernAustralia, with a natural range extending fromPakistan,India,Sri Lanka,Nepal andBangladesh throughMyanmar,Thailand,Laos,Cambodia,Vietnam,Malaysia andIndonesia, and eastwards toPapua New Guinea and northernAustralia.[8] It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, commonly found in lowland forests, riverbanks and open woodlands, as well as in rural villages and temple grounds, where it is often cultivated for its religious significance, shade and edible figs.
The species grows well in moist, well-drained soils, tolerating both periodic flooding and dry conditions, and can often be seen along roadsides and near watercourses.[9][10]
According to theShatapatha Brahmana, the Audumbara tree was created from the force ofIndra, the leader of the gods that came out of his flesh when he overindulged insoma:
From his hair his thought flowed, and became millet; from his skin his honour flowed, and became the aśvattha tree (Ficus religiosa);from his flesh his force flowed, and became the udumbara tree (Ficus glomerata); from his bones his sweet drink flowed, and became the nyagrodha tree (Ficus indica); from his marrow his drink, the Soma juice, flowed, and became rice: in this way his energies, or vital powers, went from him.[11]
In theAtharva Veda, this fig tree (Sanskrit:Umbara orAudumbara)[12] is given prominence as a means for acquiring prosperity and vanquishing foes.[13] For instance, regarding an amulet of theAudumbara tree, a hymn (AV xix, 31) extols:
It has been described in the story of RajaHarischandra of theIkshvaku dynasty, that the crown was a branch of thisAudumbara tree, set in a circlet of gold. Additionally, the throne (simhasana) was constructed out of this wood and the royal personage would ascend it on his knee, chanting to the gods to ascend it with him, which they did so, albeit unseen.
The tree is revered as the sacred abode under whichLord Dattatreya imparted his teachings that true wisdom begins with learning from others, regardless of their stature or status. His philosophy teaches that there is always something to be learned from everyone, and that growth requires the ability to unlearn old knowledge as times change. The tree is commonly planted at sites associated with Lord Dattatreya, the HinduTrimurti consisting ofBrahma,Vishnu andShiva, symbolising the continuous cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. Its leaves are also considered sacred and are an indispensable element in manyHindu fire rituals.
Both the tree and the flower are referred to as theAudumbara (Sanskrit,Pali;Devanagari: औदुंबर) inBuddhism.[15]Udumbara can also refer to the blue lotus (nila-udumbara, "blueudumbara") flower. Theudumbara flower appears in chapters 2 and 27 of theLotus Sutra, an importantMahayanaBuddhist text. TheJapanese wordudonge (優曇華, literally "udon/udumbara flower") was used byDōgen Zenji to refer to the flower of theudumbara tree in chapter 68 of theShōbōgenzō ("Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma"). Dōgen places theudonge in the context of theFlower Sermon given byGautama Buddha onVulture Peak.Udonge is also used to refer to the eggs of thelacewing insect. The eggs are laid in a pattern similar to a flower, and its shape is used for divination in Asianfortune telling.[16]
InTheravada Buddhism, the plant is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment (bodhi) by the 26thLord Buddha, Konaagama (Sinhala:කෝණාගම).
The figs can be eaten when ripe, or used while still green as a vegetable in stir-fries and curries, or made into preserves. The shoots and young leaves are also edible. TheOvambo people call the fruit of the cluster figeenghwiyu and use it to distillombike, a traditional liquor.[17]
In India, ahome remedy is prepared by rubbing the bark on a stone with water to make apoultice to treat boils and mosquito bites. The poultice is left to dry on the skin and reapplied after a few hours. The leaves of the plant can also be used to remove caterpillar hairs lodged in the skin. The affected skin is rubbed lightly with a leaf, effectively dislodging the stinging hairs.
The leaves are calledlá sung in Vietnam, where they are eaten raw with meat dishes. They are used withrice paper and edible leaves of other plants, such aswoolly sewervine,shiso orMing aralia, to wrap pieces of chicken, pork or goat and eaten in a style similar to the Koreanssam. The figs, calledquả sung, are harvested while still green and pickled in a mixture of salt and sugar, then seasoned with chilli, garlic, lime juice andfish sauce.[18]
