Laurel fig
Ficus ilicina

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It is about 4.5 m tall. It spreads sideways and clasps the rocks. The white trunk spreads over the rock surface. The branches are pale, long and thin. The leaves are carried at the ends of the branches. The leaves are dark and slender. They are smooth and thick. They are 2.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The leaf base varies in shape. The leaves are carried on yellow or red stalks. These are about 1 cm long. The fruit are small and round. They are on short stalks either singly or in pairs. They are edible.

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 mostly grows in rocky places. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in semi-arid areas. It grows between 133-1,450 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The wasp pollinator is Elisabethiella enriquesi (Grandi).

Its other names

Local names

Klimvy, Omupendarwa, Rock-splitting fig

Synonyms

Ficus guerichiana Engl.;