Peter's fig
Ficus petersii

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tree. It grows 20 m high. Young branches are hairy. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and taper to the base. They have a short tip. They are 2-8 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. There are 6-8 veins on each side that form a loop near the edge. The figs usually occur as two together in the axils of leaves. They are oval and 10 cm long by 9 cm wide. They are a reddish colour when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and bushland. It grows on rocky places and termite mounds. It grows up to 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a snack. They are also used to make an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

The wasp pollinator is Alfonsiella binghami.

A fruit weighs about 5 g.

Its other names

Local names

Umbombe, Umtfombe

Synonyms

Ficus dinteri Warb.; Ficus erici-rosenii R. E. Fr.; Ficus ruficeps Warb.; Ficus galpinii Warb.; Ficus schinziana Warb.; Ficus thonningii Blume p.p.;