Rocky River Fig, Cape Fig
Ficus nodosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a small tree which grows 8-12 m high. It can be 30-40 m tall in tall forests. It spreads 6-12 m across. It has a rounded and often sparse crown. It does not have strangling nor aerial roots. The trunk is short and buttressed. The bark is reddish brown and scaly. The young shoots are pale green and covered densely with hairs. The leaves are large and heart shaped. The leaves are 12-24 cm long and 10-18 cm across. They are thin textured and have an irregular edge. They are mid green colour. The leaf stalks are 8-10 cm long. The fig fruit are 3-4 cm across. They are oval and reddish brown. They are produced in clusters on leafless shoots. These are produced on the trunk and older branches.

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 and subtropical plant. It grows in the lowland rainforest. It can be in drier situations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by aerial layering.

Its other names

Local names

Kem kem, Laura, Paka, Pohon ara kali batu, Pohon ara sungai

Synonyms

Ficus du Lauterb. & K. Schumann;