Burke's fig
Ficus burkei

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is an evergreen tree. It grows 15 m tall. The crown is dense and round or spreading. The bark on young branches in hairy. Bark on the stems is smooth. It can start as a strangler and then become established in the soil. The leaves are simple and are rounded at the base. They are alternate or in rings. They are 5-12 cm long and leathery. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The figs are in the axils of leaves. They occur singly or in pairs. They are 1-2 cm across. They are yellow or pink when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is sensitive to cold. It can tolerate drought. It occurs in woodland and often on termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows between 800-1,630 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The figs are edible. They can be used to make jam. They are also used for alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can easily be grown from cuttings and large sections of branches. For cuttings sections 20 cm long with most of the leaves removed are suitable. Large branch sections should be dried out for a few days before planting. The pollinating wasp is Elisabethiella stuckenbergi (Grandi).

Its other names

Local names

Gewone wildevy, Intenjane, Mumo, Muome, Muumo, Musvasvi, Mutsamvi, Umtende, Umthombe, Utata

Synonyms

Ficus rhodesiaca Mildbr. & Burret; Ficus thonningii Blume p. p.;