Ficus annulata

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a large tree. It grows attached to other trees when young. The leafy growth at the base of the leaf is sword shaped and 2.5-6 cm long. The leaf blade is narrow and oval. It is 13-28 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. It is thinly leathery. It is dark green above and pale green underneath. The base is wedge shaped and it tapers to a short tip. There are 2 veins at the base then 12-17 secondary side veins on each side of the main vein. These are easy to see underneath the leaf. The figs are in pairs in the axils of leaves. They are orange red when mature. They have scattered white spots. They are oval and 2-2.5 cm long by 1.5-2 cm wide. The fruit stalk is strong and 1-1.5 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 mountain forests between 500-1300 m altitude in Yunnan in S China. In Borneo it grows up to 600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ara susu, Huan wen rong, Kara, Kayu ara, Naung-tha-phan, Nizhangde, Than-thay

Synonyms

Ficus annulata var. biverrucellum (Miq.) Miq.; Ficus annulata var. elliptica Miq.; Ficus annulata var. flavescens (Blume) King; Ficus annulata var. valida (Blume) King; Ficus balabacensis Quisumb.; Ficus flavescens Blume; Ficus valida Blume; Urostigma annulatum (Blume) Miq.; Urostigma biverrucellum Miq.; Urostigma conocarpum Miq.; Urostigma flavescens (Blume) Miq.; Urostigma validum (Blume) Miq.;