Forest fig
Ficus craterostoma

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 10 m tall. It can be partly attached to other plants. It can grow as a strangler. The leaves are almost opposite or in spirals and 3-9 cm long. They are dark green above and paler underneath. They are almost triangle shaped. The tip is blunt or has 2 lobes. The leaf stalk has a groove along the top. The fruit are figs 15 mm across. They are in pairs in the axils of leaves. They do not have stalks and are warty with red spots.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in swamp forests. It grows from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The wasp pollinators are Alfonsiella michaloudi Wiebes and Alfonsiella pipithiensis.

Its other names

Local names

Isihlamfane, Musvasvi, Mutsamvi, Uluzi, Umbombe, Umthombe

Synonyms

Ficus luteola De Wild.; Ficus pilusola De Wild.;