Sandpaper Fig, Fraser's fig
Ficus fraseri

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tree up to 10-15 m high. It spreads 3-5 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are simple and 8-13 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. They are sandpapery on both sides. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The leaf stalk is 0.5-1 cm long. The fruit are 13-17 mm long by 15-20 mm wide. They occur singly or in pairs. When ripe they turn from orange-red to black. 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

A tropical plant. It grows in the subtropics and warm temperate zones. They grow naturally in rainforests. It grows from sea level to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Caledonia, Pacific, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible but have little taste.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. The seed are removed from the fig and mixed with sand before sowing as they are very small. Take the seed from ripe orange-brown fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Adhala-dhabara, Nadoumaama, Nowash

Synonyms

Ficus stenocarpa F. Muell.; Ficus subglabra (Benth.) F.Muell.; and others