Moreton Bay Fig, Australian banyan
Ficus macrophylla

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a large spreading tree. It is evergreen. It grows to 20-40-55 m high. It spreads about the same width. There are buttresses at the base. It has strangling roots. The trunk can be short. It has irregular flanges. The bark is grey-brown and smooth. The young shoots are rusty brown. The leaves are large and leathery and dark green. They are a rusty colour underneath. The fruit or figs are 2-2.5 cm across. The figs ripen to reddish-brown.

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

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to E Australia. It grows in rainforest. It suits humid locations. It can tolerate salt laden winds. They can grow in temperate places and tolerate moderate frosts. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris occurs on Lord Howe Island.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), East Africa, Hawaii, India, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Southern Africa, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Young leaves are eaten in curries. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are removed from the fig and mixed with sand before sowing as they are very small. Take the seed from ripe purple fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ficus macrocarpa Huegel ex Miq.;