Ficus auriculata

Ficus auriculata (Roxburgh fig) is a type of fig tree seen all over Asia[2] noted for its big and round leaves. This is used as fodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight.[3]

Ficus auriculata
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
Lour.

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 oblate syconium that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) wide, covered with yellow pubescence, and emerge from the trunk or old branches of the tree.[4]

The fresh fruit of this plant are consumed as food, and have diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties.[4]

Ceratosolen emarginatus is the insect that helps to pollinate this plant.[5][6]

  • Fruit emerging from trunk and branches
  • Leaf of elephant ear fig
  • Fruit
  • Leaf
  • Fruit
  • Seeds

References
  1. Shao, Q. & Zhao, L. (2019). "Ficus auriculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T147637124A147637126. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  2. "29. Ficus auriculata". Flora of China.
  3. "Ficus auriculata". ForestryNepal. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  4. Tanaka, Yoshitaka; Van Ke, Nguyen (2007). Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden. Thailand: Orchid Press. p. 96. ISBN 9745240893.
  5. LI Zong-Bo; YANG Pei; PENG Yan-Qiong; YANG Da-Rong (2012). "Distribution and ultramorphology of antennal sensilla in female Ceratosolen emarginatus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), a specific pollinator of Ficus auriculata". Acta Entomologica Sinica. 55 (11): 1272–1281.
  6. van Noort, S.; Rasplus, J.-Y. (2018). "Ficus auriculata Loureiro, 1790". Figweb. Iziko Museums of South Africa.
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