Ficus watkinsiana
| Ficus watkinsiana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ficus watkinsiana on Syzygium hemilampra, Iluka, New South Wales, | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Species: | F. watkinsiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus watkinsiana F.M.Bailey | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Ficus bellingeri C.Moore in C.Moore & E.Betche | |
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 other in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.[1]
Description
Ficus watkinsiana is a monoecious tree which grows up to 50 m (165 ft) tall. Its leaves are 51–217 mm long (2–8.5 in) long and 26–97 mm (1.0–3.8 in) wide. Its syconia are deep purple to black in colour, 24–37 mm (0.9–1.5 in) long and 18–29 mm (0.7–1.1 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] The root can be dried, and thanks to the hollow tubes within it can then be smoked producing calming or pain relieving effects, as recommended in the SAS encyclopedia of survival.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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.
- ↑ Lindsay, Lenore (March 1992). "Fancy a feast? Try a fig.". Australian Plants 16 (130): 251–52.