Ficus watkinsiana
Ficus watkinsiana, commonly known as strangler fig, Watkins' fig, nipple fig or the green-leaved Moreton Bay fig is a hemiepiphytic fig that is endemic to Australia. The species exists in three populations—one in northeast Queensland and the others in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.[1]
Ficus watkinsiana | |
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Ficus watkinsiana on Syzygium hemilampra, Iluka, New South Wales, | |
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Species: | F. watkinsiana |
Binomial name | |
Ficus watkinsiana | |
Synonyms | |
Ficus bellingeri C.Moore in C. Moore & E.Betche |
Description
Ficus watkinsiana is a monoecious tree which grows up to 50 m (160 ft) tall. Its leaves are 51–217 mm (2.0–8.5 in) long and 26–97 mm (1.0–3.8 in) wide. Its syconia are deep purple to black in colour, 24–37 mm (0.94–1.46 in) long and 18–29 mm (0.71–1.14 in) in diameter. It begins life as a hemiepiphyte.[1]
Uses
The fruit is black and spotted when ripe, and is of fair quality in flavour.[2]
References
- Dixon, Dale J. (2003). "A taxonomic revision of the Australian Ficus species in the section Malvanthera (Ficus subg. Urostigma: Moraceae)" (PDF). Telopea. 10 (1): 125–53. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 October 2009.
- Lindsay, Lenore (March 1992). "Fancy a feast? Try a fig". Australian Plants. 16 (130): 251–52.