False Buddha tree
Ficus rumphii

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tree. It grows about 15 m tall. Usually it lives growing on and attached to other trees. The bark is grey and wrinkled when dry. The leafy growth at the base of the leaf is oval and 1.2-2.5 cm long. It leaves a scar which is easy to see. The leaf stalk is 6-8 cm long. The leaf blade is heart shaped or oval and 6-13 cm long by 6-11 cm wide. It is somewhat leathery. The base is broadly wedge shaped and it tapers to the tip. There are 4 veins near the base then 5-6 secondary veins on each side of the main vein. Normally there are a pair of figs in the axils of leaves. Sometimes they are in groups on older leafless branches. They have dark spots when young. They are dark purple when mature. They are round and without stalks. They are 1-1.5 cm across. There are only a few male flowers scattered amongst the other flowers.

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. In China it grows along trails between 600-700 m altitude in Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, SE Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten. The ripe fruit are occasionally eaten. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, vegetable, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Asht, Bettaarali, Dumur, Gagjaira, Gaiaswat, Gai aswathwa, Gajna, Hay, Jakri, Jia putishu, Kabar, Kathepipal, Mawnglae, Mawnglaw, Mawnglok, Paharepipal, Pair, Pakar, Pakur, Payar, Pilkhan, Prap, Wagrans, Xin ye rong

Synonyms

Ficus cordifolia Roxb.; Ficus conciliorum Oken; Ficus damit Gagnep.; Urostigma cordifolium (Roxb.) Miq.; Urostigma rumphii (Blume) Miquel;