Namaqua fig
Ficus cordata

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tree which grows pressed against rocks. It can grow to 18 m high although it is usually much smaller. It can spread 15 m wide. The trunk is slender and smooth. The leaves are smooth and 11 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are oblong with a rounded base which can be heart shaped. They taper to a point. There are 5-7 pairs of easily seen veins. The fruit are small and roundish and purple brown when ripe. They are slightly hairy and have very short stalks. They are mostly in pairs in the axils of leaves. 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 occurs in rocky places and near cliffs. It is often over limestone material. It grows in areas with a rainfall below 100 mm. It grows between 100-1,850 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, North Africa, Northeastern India, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

People eat the fruit occasionally.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

The wasp pollinator is Platyscapa desertorum Compton.

Its other names

Local names

Herzfeige, Melkboom, Namakwavy, Tukuk

Synonyms

Urostigma thunbergii Miq.; Ficus glaucophylla Desf.; Ficus cordata var. marlothii Warb.; Ficus rupium Dinter;