Water fig
Ficus verruculosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a shrub or weak stemmed tree. It grows to 8-12 m high. The bark is grey. The leaves are oblong and 5-15 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. They are very thick and leathery. They are glossy green above and paler underneath. The edges of the leaves are rolled under. The figs are 1-1.3 cm across. The pore at the end is slightly raised. Fruit are in pairs in the axils of leaves. The fruit are bright red when mature.

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 patches of forest and in grassland. It is always near water. It forms low clumps in swamp forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, South Africa, Southern Africa, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The pollinating wasp is Platyscapa binghami Wiebes.

Its other names

Local names

Chimpanana, Ghomoti, Komoti, Nadrale

Synonyms

Ficus praeruptorum Hiern;