Sandpaper Fig
Ficus coronata
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
Ficus coronata is a TREE growing to 12 m (39ft) by 4 m (13ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 12
Where it is found
In or near rainforests by the coast and adjoining plateaux. Found in a wide range of habitats, including gullies, creeks, rainforests, open country and sheltered rocky areas (tooheyforesteec.eq.edu.au)
Australia - New South Wales.
Conservation Status: In eastern Victoria, it is listed as "threatened" under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Countries/locations it is found in
East Coast Australia from Mackay in Central Queensland, through New South Wales and just into Victoria near Mallacoota.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Edible and palatable fruit 2cm in size eaten fresh (remove the furry skin) or dried that is green when unfertilised, and darkening to a purple/black when mature. Fruits ripen from January to June. Use cooked in cakes, pies, biscuits, jellies, jams or sauces. A very sweet fruit said to be the best tasting Australian fig (tuckerbush.com.au).
Medicine
Rating: 1
In herbal medicine, the sap is applied to small sores and warts (tooheyforesteec.eq.edu.au).
Other
Rating: 3
Leaves used as sandpaper. Aboriginal people traditionally used the leaves to smooth and polish weaponry, the bark to make string (tuckerbush.com.au). The fruit is a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the common- or purple moonbeam (Philiris innotatus), the Australasian figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti), green catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris), olive-backed oriole (Oriolus sagittatus), topknot pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus), and grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). Tolerate heavy pruning. good hedge plant. A good canopy shade tree. An excellent bonsai or small indoor potted tree. Ideal for stream bank stabilization.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Houseplant: A plant grown indoors for decorative purposes.
Sandpaper: Plants used to smooth rough wooden surfaces by means of abrasion.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
A medium sized tree of up to 15m tall. It has rough, densely hairy branches and leaves. A hardy species, tolerating colder climates, poor soils, and poor light conditions. It does not tolerate frosts very well, particularly when young. Prefers plenty of light, space and moisture, in warmer climates free from frosts. An aggressive root system characteristic of Ficus species can cause issues with plumbing, concrete paths and structural foundations. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Pollinated by co-dependant species of fig wasp. Low maintenance.
Propagating it: Fresh seeds, or cuttings taken from the growing tip of a live plant.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Cut material weeps a milky latex material that can cause irritation.
Its other names
Local names
Sandpaper fig, Creek sandpaper fig. Ficus - from the Latin ficus, meaning “edible fruit”. coronata - from the Latin coronatus, meaning “crowned”, referring to the crown of bristles at the tip of the fig
Synonyms
F. muntia (link). F. stephanocarpa (Warb).