Red leaf fig, Cluster fig
Ficus congesta

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree. It grows 6-12 m high and spreads 4-10 m wide. The trunk is short. It can have several stems. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are simple and 12-25 cm long. They are sandpapery on both sides. There are also hairs on both sides. New leaves are red. The fruit are about 25 mm across and round. The fruit can occur singly, in the axils of leaves or on branches or stems or on runners along the ground. The fruit 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

It is a tropical plant. They grow naturally in rainforest in Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia. It is often along the edges of streams. It grows from sea level to 1030 m altitude. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), China, India, Indonesia, New Guinea, Pacific, SE Asia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by aerial layers of cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ficus fasciculosa F.Muell. ex Benth.; Ficus setistyla Warb.; Ficus trichostyla Warb.; and others