Scrambling fig
Ficus burtt-davyi
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
A fig. It is a shrub or small scrambling tree. It can be a woody creeper in the forest. The main stem is short and there are often several stems. The bark is smooth and silvery grey. It has a milky sap when cut. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are narrowly oval and 3-12 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They have a distinct V shaped pair of veins from the base. The fruit or figs occur singly or in pairs on the twigs of the previous years growth. They are round and 12 mm across.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows on rocky outcrops and in woodland. It can tolerate sea breezes. It can tolerate salt.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten as a snack.
The fruit are only occasionally eaten by people.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
The pollinating wasp is Elisabethiella baijnathi Wiebes.
Its other names
Local names
Uluzi, Umthombe