Small-fruited Fig, Laurel fig, Curtain fig
Ficus microcarpa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is an evergreen tree. It grows 15-25 m tall and spreads to 5 m across. The trunk can be 50 cm wide. The stem is erect and has buttresses. There are aerial roots. The bark is light grey and smooth. The branches are low and it has an open crown. It has a curtain of strangling roots. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and light green underneath. They are oval and pointed. They are 6-12 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 0.5-1.5 cm long. The figs are rosy red or purple and round. They are produced singly or in pairs and are 1.2 cm across. They do not have fruit stalks. The fruit are edible. This plant varies considerably and 3 different varieties are known.

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows in light to medium soils. It does best in an open sunny position. It is drought resistant but damaged by frost. They need a temperature above 13°C. It is often in coastal rainforests. It suits humid locations. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Christmas Island, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Egypt, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Micronesia, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, aerial root - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown by tip cuttings. They can also be grown from seed or by aerial layering.

In Australia trees fruit from January to August.

Its other names

Local names

Chikhan, Chinese banyan, Cuban laurel, Glossy-leaf fig, Indian laurel fig, Malay banyan, Nandan, Rong shu, Rong tree, Usba

Synonyms

Ficus cairnsii Warb.; Ficus dictyophleba Miq.; Ficus hillii F. M. Bailey; Ficus microcarpa var. hillii (Bailey) Corner; Ficus thynneana F. M. Bailey; and others Ficus retusiformis H.Leveille; Ficus retusa auct. non L.; Ficus nitida auct. non Blume 1825; Thunb.; See Ficus aggregata