Poplar-leaved fig
Ficus fischeri

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is an evergreen tree. It grows 15 m tall. It starts attached to other plants but soon establishes itself to the soil. The crown is flat topped. The leafy twigs are 4-10 mm thick. The leaves are arranged in spirals. The leaves are 7-17 cm long by 5-11 cm wide. They are leathery. There are 9-15 pairs of side veins and the leaves do not have hairs. The figs occur singly or in pairs. They are in the axils of leaves. They are about 2 cm across. They are yellow-green when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along rivers and in woodland. It is often on termite mounds. It grows between 900-1,500 m altitude. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in areas with a marked dry season. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds usually germinate in the joints in branches and send down roots to the ground. It can be grown from large cuttings. The wasp pollinator is Elisabethiella platyscapa Wiebes.

Its other names

Local names

Musuwa, Mutaba, Mutata, Muwonde

Synonyms

Ficus kiloneura Hornby;