Eve's apron, Roxburgh fig
Ficus auriculata

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 5-10 m high. The trunk is 30-50 cm across but often less. The crown is broadly spreading. The trunk is usually not straight. The bark is warty and grey. Young shoots are hollow. The young shoots are reddish brown. They are 1-1.5 cm across. The leafy structure at the base of the leaf is triangle shaped and reddish brown. It is 1.5-2 cm long. The leaves are alternate and 10-25-55 cm long by 7-23-27 cm wide. They are rounded and softly hairy underneath. The base is normally deeply heart shaped. There can be small teeth along the leaf edge. The figs grow on the base of the trunk and on short branches of old stems. The fruit is 5-7 cm across. It is green when young and dark red when ripe. The fruit is sweet and with a sweet smell. There are ribs along the fruit.

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 needs light and humidity. It grows up to 700-800 m altitude. It is most common about 100-400 m altitude. It often grows along rivers. In Nepal it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In China it grows in moist valleys in forests between 100-1700 m altitude and sometimes to 2100 m in S China. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet. They are also made into jams and used in curries. Green fruit are used as a vegetable. The young leaves can be eaten raw. They are also boiled and used as a vegetable.

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

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can be cut back and regrow. Hand pollination can probably increase fruit size. It can be grown by marcottage.

It is fast growing. In Nagaland fruit are available June to August.

Its other names

Local names

Anjoora, Ara, Athi, Beliblo, Chidoshi, Chodoshi, Choma, Dabgo, Da guo rong, Dhusi, Doshi, Dusi, Elephant ear fig, Fagoora, Ghider thaikhro, Gopa, Heibong, Hider thaikhro, Hute, Kaitak, Kakbal-takukasing, Ka-ohn, Kaung-oat-tee, Kelebok, Khavu, Kukbal takuk, Lagum, Long o biu, Lothepi, Mamojang, Mangtan, Mon dimoru, Mu gua cai, Na-gum, Na sha er zi, Nebaro, Nebharo, Nee ri, Nevaro, Newaro, Ngoa, Nimaro, Nuoge biu, Pak wa, Papaya fig, Pawa, Pha-owl, Phak-ohn, Phok, Saipho, Shupu, Sin-thahpan, Sipu, Taba, Takuk, Tapang, Thaibor, Tha-phan, Theiba, Thei-bal, Theichang, Theichong, Theipi, Thu-phak-lu-sang, Timal, Timila, Timilo, Timla, Timli, Timlo, Timlu, Tirmal, Toubu dhu, Tramble, Trembal, Triambal, Trimbal, Txiv ncuav pias, Va, Va', Wuwa, Xiang er rong, Xi bu, Xibuabo, Xibulao

Synonyms

Covellia macrophylla Miq.; Ficus hainanensis Merr. & Chun; Ficus hamiltoniana Wall. [Invalid]; Ficus macrocarpa H. Lev. & Vaniot [Illegitimate]; Ficus macrophylla Roxb. & Buch.-Ham ex Sm. [Illegitimate]; Ficus oligodon Miq.; Ficus pomifera Wall. ex King; Ficus regia Miq.; Ficus rotundifolia Roxb.; Ficus roxburghii Steud.; Ficus sclerocarpa Griff.; Ficus scleroptera Griff. [Illegitimate];