Apple fig
Ficus oligodon

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 5-10 m tall. The trunk is 10-15 cm across. The crown is wide. The sexes are separate. The bark is grey and smooth. The small branches are slightly hairy. The leafy structure at the base of the leaf is sword shaped and 1-1.5 cm long. The leaves are alternate. The leaf stalk is 4-6 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 12-25 cm long by 6-23 cm wide. The leaves are papery. The top surface is smooth and it can be rough underneath. The base is wedge shaped and there can be irregular teeth towards the tip. The leaf tapers towards the tip. There are 4-5 side veins on each side of the main vein. These are easy to see underneath. The figs are clustered on short branches on the old stems. They are dark red when mature. They are pear shaped and 2-3.5 cm across. They can have 4-6 ridges on them. The fruit stalk is 2.5-3.5 cm long.

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in China in valleys and along streams in moist soil areas between 200-2100 m altitude in S. China. It grows in monsoon forest and seasonal forest. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are dark red and sweet and are eaten raw. They are also used for a jelly drink. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Leaves are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ka-aung, Kholtu, Namsi, Nimaro, Nuoge zam biu, Oligo dumur, Pawa, Ping guo rong, Prap, Sipu, Slaso, Tajik esing, Tchongtay, Timil, Waspou, Xi bo ai xi, Xibu qi, Xibuzhu, Xigumashiao

Synonyms

Ficus pomifera Wallich ex King; Ficus hamiltoniana Wallich;