| Ficus sycomorus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leaves andsyconia ofFicus sycomorus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F.subg. Sycomorus |
| Species: | F. sycomorus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus sycomorus | |
 | |
Ficus sycomorus, called thesycamore fig or thefig-mulberry (because the leaves resemble those of themulberry),sycamore, orsycomore, is afig species that has been cultivated since ancient times.[2]
Ficus sycomorus grows to 20 metres (66 ft) tall and has a considerable spread, with a dense round crown of spreading branches. Thebark is green-yellow to orange and exfoliates in papery strips to reveal the yellow inner bark. Like all other figs, it contains alatex. Theleaves are heart-shaped with a round apex, 14 centimetres (5+1⁄2 in) long by 10 cm wide, and arranged spirally around the twig. They are dark green above and lighter with prominent yellow veins below, and both surfaces are rough to the touch. The petiole is0.5–3 cm (1⁄4–1+1⁄8 in) long and pubescent.
Flowering and fruiting occurs year-round, starting in April or later depending on variety, peaking from July to December. Thefruit is a large edible fig, 2–3 cm in diameter, ripening from buff-green to yellow or red. It is borne in thick clusters on long branchlets or the leaf axil. It is sometimes separated into five successive "crops".[3]
The specific name came into English in the 14th century assicamour, derived from Old Frenchsagremore, sicamor. This in turn derives from Latinsycomorus, fromAncient Greekσῡκόμορος (sykómoros) 'fig-mulberry'. The Greek name may be from the Greek tree-namessykón 'fig' andmoron 'mulberry', or it may derive from the Hebrew name for the mulberry,shiqmah.[4]
The namesycamore spelled with an A has also been used for unrelated trees: the great maple,Acer pseudoplatanus, or plane trees,Platanus. The spelling "sycomore", with an O rather than an A as the second vowel is, if used, specific toF. sycomorus.[5][6]
Ficus sycomorus is native toAfrica south of theSahel and north of theTropic of Capricorn, excluding the central-westrainforest areas. It grows naturally inLebanon; in the southernArabian Peninsula; inCyprus; in very localised areas inMadagascar; and inIsrael,Palestine andEgypt. In its native habitat, the tree is usually found in rich soils along rivers and in mixed woodlands.[citation needed]
Two major varieties are known in Egypt. Roumi (also called Falaki or Turki), which has more horizontally spread branches, stouter shoots and petioles, more densely spaced leaves that are wider than they are long, and larger, flatter, broad pink fruits; and Kelabi (also called Arabi or Beledi), which has more vertical branches, is more slender, has smaller leaves and has smaller yellowish pear shaped fruits.[3]
In modern history, many Egyptians would once a year (on the day of a particular saint) make a ring of bruises and cuts around the base of their sycamore trees.[why?][3]
According tobotanistsDaniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, cultivation of this species was "almost exclusively" by theancient Egyptians.[2] Remains ofF. sycomorus begin to appear in predynastic times and occur in quantity from the start of thethird millennium BC. It was the ancient Egyptiantree of life.[7] Zohary and Hopf note that "the fruit and the timber, and sometimes even the twigs, are richly represented in thetombs of the Egyptian Early, Middle and Late Kingdoms."[2] In numerous cases the parched fruiting bodies, known assycons, "bear characteristic gashing marks indicating that this art, which induces ripening, was practised in Egypt in ancient times."[2]
Although this species of fig requires the presence of thesymbioticwaspCeratosolen arabicus to reproduce sexually, and this insect is extinct in Egypt, Zohay and Hopf have no doubt that Egypt was "the principal area of sycamore fig development."[2] Some of the caskets of mummies inEgypt are made from the wood of this tree. In tropical areas where the wasp is common, complex mini-ecosystems involving the wasp, nematodes,[8][9] other parasitic wasps, and various larger predators revolve around the life cycle of the fig. The trees' random production of fruit in such environments assures its constant attendance by the insects and animals which form this ecosystem.
Sycamores were often planted around artificial pools in ancient Egyptian gardens.[10]
The sycamore tree was brought to Israel byPhilistines during the Iron Age, along withopium poppy andcumin.[11][12] These sycamore trees used to be numerous in westernBeirut, lending their name to the neighborhood of Gemmayzeh ((الْجُمَّيْزَةal-Ǧummayzah), "sycamore fig").[13] However, the trees have largely disappeared from this area.[14]
In theNear EastF. sycomorus is an orchard andornamental tree of great importance and extensive use. It has wide-spreading branches andaffords shade.
In theHebrew Bible, the sycomore is mentioned seven times (Biblical Hebrew:שִׁקְמָה,romanized: shiqmā; Strong's number 8256) and once in theNew Testament (Koine Greek:συκομoραία,romanized: sykomoraia orσυκομορέαsykomorea;[15] Strong's number 4809). It was a popular and valuable fruit tree inJericho andCanaan.[16]
InEl Matareya, there is a sycamore known as the Tree of the Virgin, which serves as a pilgrimage site. It is not the same tree; instead, when the previous tree that stands in this spot dies, a new one is planted from cuttings of the old tree.[17] It is said that the Holy Family took refuge in this tree.[18] TheCoptic pope Theophilus also recounted thatJoseph had a walking stick, which an infantJesus broke. When Joseph buried the pieces of the stick, a sycamore grew forth and provided shelter.[19]
In Ancient Egypt, the sycamore was associated with the goddessesHathor,Isis, andNut. In the case of the latter, prayers exist referring to the "sycamore of Nut", and asking for water and breath. These goddesses were sometimes depicted as trees, sometimes standing in front of them with vessels of water, or sometimes as a tree with human body parts, such as an arm or breast. It was the most significant depicted life giving tree in ancient Egypt.[20] Sycamores are referenced in ancient Egyptian love poetry as a meeting place for lovers.[20][10] There are references to twin sycamores ofturquoise in funerary contexts whichRa comes forth from, indicating they likely face east,[20] or are located on the eastern horizon.[10]
In modern Egyptian folklore, the sycamore retains an association with mysticism and magic. In the story "It Serves Me Right!", it is used to represent the Tree of Lifespans. The fruit from this tree dries up at the end of a life, but is fresh when one still has more life to live. Therefore, the inhabitants of a land found at the bottom of a well in the story only eat the dry, bad sycamore fruits and leave the good ones alone.[21]
InKikuyu religion, the sycomore is a sacred tree. All sacrifices toNgai (or Murungu), the supreme creator, were performed under the tree. Whenever the mugumo tree fell, it symbolised a bad omen and rituals had to be performed by elders in the society. Some of those ceremonies carried out under the Mugumo tree are still observed.[22][23]
... named after a sycamore tree that was once a landmark here.
