Caxinguba, Amate
Ficus insipida
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
A fig. It is a large tree. It has buttresses. the bark is smooth and grey brown. The leaves are bright shiny green with yellow veins. The fallen leaves turn bright yellow. There is a circular scar at the base of each leaf. Broken leaves drip white latex. The flowers and fruit are inside the fig balls. The flowers are pollinated by wasps.
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
It is a tropical plant. It grows in open areas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Indies
How it is used for food
The latex is used commercially as a meat tenderiser, and in edible collagen films, sausage casings and in chillproofing beer. It is also used in curdling milk for cheese. The fruit are eaten.
The fruit are eaten but are not popular.
Edible parts
Latex - food tenderiser, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
Ficus glabrata Kunth; and several others