Lovo
Ficus pungens

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tall tree with large leaves 30 cm long and 25 cm wide. Young leaves are light green. They have teeth along the edge and are rough on both surfaces. They have 10 pairs of side veins. Stalks have very sharp thorns. These can fall off. The fruit are small (0.5 cm) and in clusters along long stalks hanging from the trunk. The stalks can be 50-80 cm long. The fruit are greenish-yellow but turn red as they ripen.

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. Normally near streams and drains. Trees grow from sea level up to about 1800 m.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten with meat.

The leaves are moderately commonly eaten with meat in areas where the tree occurs.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Trees are mostly self sown.

Its other names

Local names

Gofe, Hiyo, Hoiyo, Huisi, Ongau, Wakia, Wek, Wekima

Synonyms

Ficus myriocarpa Miq.;