Plentiful fig, Kumu musong
Ficus copiosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows up to 10 m high. The trunk is slender and straight. The bark is grey and smooth. Young stems and veins have a purplish colour and the tips have a rough feel due to raised bristles on the leaves and stems. The leaf shape varies. Leaves are 10-25 cm long by 5-12 cm across. They are oval. The leaves are often heart shaped at the base and bluntly pointed at the tip. The edges of the leaves are irregular. The leaf stalks are about 2 cm long. Fruit are 1-2 cm across and often on old twigs in small clusters.

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 tree. Trees grow from sea level up to about 1800 m above sea level in Papua New Guinea. It has been recorded up to 2,450 m. They are normally in mixed forest. They are often in seasonally drier areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bougainville, Indonesia, Micronesia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, West Papua

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten cooked. The fruit are eaten raw.

Probably the most widely used fig leaf in Papua New Guinea. It is fairly common throughout the country and important in some areas. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Trees are often planted by seeds or self sown seedlings are transplanted. Trees can also be grown by cuttings and aerial layering. In some areas trees are grown as a hedge and pruned to increase branching. Plants occur both wild and cultivated.

Young tips of 3-5 g are picked.

Its other names

Local names

Akola, Amau, Amgatam, Amosi, Badukas, Bakua, Damaia, Ghaapoli manguu, Gonukam, Kaia, Kaiya, Kamau, Kanava, Koiyo, Mangako, Mimo mamami, Mokau, Mungrumgi, Namau, Nose, Nungunangam, Nyia nwatu, Pinopoto, Pohon ara daun ampelas, Poke, Rulupa, Sakwari, Seluk, Soluk, Thakwari, Tulup, Yubtuam

Synonyms

Ficus copiosa var. pubescens Corner; Ficus magnifolia F. Muell.; Ficus mourilyanensis F. M. Bailey; Ficus senfftiana Warb.; Ficus subinflata;