Ficus sarmentosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a climbing shrub or woody vine. The shoots are hairy. The branches develop roots. The leafy structure near the base of the leaves is sword shaped and about 8 mm long. The leaves are alternate. They are 8-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are oval. They are hairy underneath. There are 5-10 pairs of side veins. The base is rounded. The figs are round or slightly flattened. They are 0.5-2 cm across. They occur singly or occasionally in pairs. They are in the axils of leaves or on leaf less branches. They are purple when ripe. The fruit stalk is 0.5-1.5 cm long. Male and gall flowers are in the one fig and female flowers in other figs. There are some varieties described based on bract, leaf and fig shape and size.

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 and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1400-2600 m altitude. It grows in moist areas and often along stream banks. In China they grow in forests and on trees and rocks between 600-2500 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Ripe fig fruit are eaten raw as a snack. They are also cooked with rice. They are also used to make jelly.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Aagjaram Ban timila, Ban timilo, Be-a-chos-pu, Bedulo, Berulo, Doda bel, Dongshili, Duday lahara, Dumri, Fu jing rong, Kamedu, Kesulu

Synonyms

Ficus foveolata Wallich ex Miquel; Ficus luducca Wallich ex Roxb.;