Ficus rubiginosa

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Port Jackson Fig

Port Jackson Fig leaves and fruit

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Urticales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Ficus
Subgenus:	Urostigma
Species:	F. rubiginosa

Binomial name

Ficus rubiginosa
Desf. ex Vent.

The Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) , also known as the Little-leaf Fig or the Rusty Fig, is a native of eastern Australia and a member of the genus Ficus which contains over 600 species worldwide in warm climates, including the edible fig (Ficus carica).

Well known in parks and public gardens in east coast towns and cities, it is also a valuable plant for wildlife and habitat. Like all figs it requires pollination by a particular wasp species to set seed. This actually occurs fairly readily as fig seedlings are a common site in walls, cracks, crevices and buildings in urban areas of cities such as Sydney.

It was known as damun (pron. "tam-mun") to the local Eora and Darug inhabitants of the Sydney basin.^[1]

1 Description
2 Ecology
3 Cultivation
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Description

Port Jackson Fig

It is slow growing, reaching 7-15 metres in height when mature, froming a spreading densely shading tree. Its appearance is that of a small version of its relative the Moreton Bay Fig, the Port Jackson being generally smaller, with smaller fruit and leaves. Having similar ranges in the wild they are often confused, the rusty colour of the undersides of the leaves of the Port Jackson Fig being the easiest distinguishing feature.

In tropical and humid climates, the lower branches of the Port Jackson Fig may form aerial roots which strike root upon reaching to the ground, forming secondary root systems. This process is known as banyaning after the banyan tree of which it is a characteristic.

[edit] Ecology

It is pollinated by a symbiotic relationship with a wasp species (Blastophaga spp.) The pregnant female wasp enters the unripe fig through a tiny hole at the base. She crawls around the inflorescenced interior of the fig, pollinating the fruit. She then lays her eggs inside some of the flowers and dies. The male wasps hatch, impregnate the female wasps and then die. The female wasps, coated in pollen, leave the fig to lay their eggs in another fig.

[edit] Cultivation

It is commonly used as a large ornamental tree in eastern Australia, in parts of New Zealand, and also in Hawaii and California in the USA, where it is also listed as an invasive species in some areas. Despite the size of the leaves, it is popular for bonsai work as it is extremely forgiving to work with and hard to kill.

It is very easily propagated by cuttings.