Ficus opposita
Sweet Sandpaper Fig | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Moraceae |
Genus: | Ficus |
Species: | F. opposita |
Binomial name | |
Ficus opposita Miq. | |
Synonyms | |
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Ficus opposita is one of several fig species commonly known as Sandpaper figs. It is native to the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.Other common names include Sweet Sandpaper Fig,[1] Sweet Fig[1] and the ambiguous "figwood" and "watery fig".[2]
It grows as either a shrub or small tree.[1] As the figs ripen, their colour changes from green to yellow to reddish-brown and finally, to black.[1] The fruit is edible and palatable, tastier than most other fig species.[3]
It serves as a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the Common- or Purple Moonbeam (Philiris innotatus),[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Low, T. (1991). Wild Food Plants Of Australia. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0-207-16930-6.
- ↑ "Ficus opposita". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ↑ Lindsay, Lenore (March 1992). "Fancy a feast? Try a fig.". Australian Plants 16 (130): 251–52.
- ↑ Braby, Michael F. (2005). The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. p. 228. ISBN 0-643-09027-4.