Laweto, Losilosi, Oceania fig
Ficus scabra

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tree up to 10-18 m high. It can be a spreading shrub in coastal regions. It has milky sap. It has a narrow sheath covering the growing tip. The bark is grey and fibrous. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf blade is rough and has unequal sides. It can be oval and 4-22 cm or more long. It can be ear shaped at the base. The leaf stalk is 1-5 cm long. The flowers are in the fig like structure. The fruit is fleshy and red or yellow. It can be 1-2.5 cm across. The fruit are on the stems or trunks.

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 from sea level to 700 m altitude in Samoa.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Pacific (country/location of origin), Rotuma, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. The young fruit are also eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Besh, Malu, Mati vao, Moala, Mula, Nunu

Synonyms

Ficus aspera sensu Yuncker; Ficus ciliata Warb.; Ficus reineckei Warb.; Ficus storckii sensu Yuncker;