Rocket Fig, Abbey Tree, Poison Fig
Ficus albipila

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tall tree. It grows 20-30 m high and spreads 15-25 m wide. The crown is widely spreading. The trunk is long. There are buttresses at the base. The bark is grey with green blotches. Young shoots have soft white hairs. The leaves are alternate. They are 10-14 cm long by 7-10 cm wide. They are oval or heart shaped. The leaf stalks are 2.5-4 cm long. Leaves taper to the tip. The fig is 1-2 cm across. They are black and in the axils of leaves. They are covered with white hairs.

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America. The sap is irritating.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 270 m altitude. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can probably also be grown by aerial layering.

Its other names

Local names

Pohon ara ratu

Synonyms

Covellia albipila Miq.; Ficus colossea Benth.;