White Fig, Banyan, Deciduous Fig
Ficus virens

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a tall and often very large tree. It can lose all or some of its leaves during the year. It grows 15-30 m high and spreads 15-40 m across. It is a widely spreading plant often with a rounded crown. It can have both strangling roots and aerial roots. The trunk is short and very thick. It has irregular flanges on it and buttresses. It can have a mass of prop roots. The bark is dark grey to brown. Young shoots are bright green. The leafy growth at the base of the leaf is sword shaped and 10 cm long. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. The leaves are 6-15-20 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped and thin but leathery. They are dark green above but with pale veins and leaves are dull underneath. The male and female flowers occur in the one fig. The male flowers are few and near the opening. The fruit or figs are about 1 cm across. They are round and greenish white to brown with white or red dots. They are wrinkled on the surface. Varieties with different leaf shapes have been described.

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

It is a tropical plant. It grows in a range of locations including rocky outcrops and rainforest. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in dry and humid regions. It is damaged by frost. In China it grows between 300-2700 m altitude in S China. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan. In Townsville Queens BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, East Timor, Egypt, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are also used in soup. The buds or stipules are boiled to give a sour taste.

It is a preferred vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Trees can be grown from seed or aerial layers. Cuttings from young shoots strike easily. It often naturally starts in the fork of a host tree and eventually strangles and kills the other tree.

Trees grow quickly. In Australia, fruit mature June to October.

Its other names

Local names

Aaw, Albayi, Amchar, Biguan Rong, Chakkila, Ge bpong yang, Gelong den, Hishi, Hpak-hi, Kabra, Labra, Lu huang ge shu, Neme adao, Niza bao, Nuo na zi, Nyaung-chin, Nyaung-gyin, Nyaung-shin, Pakar, Pakur, Pa luo, Payer, Pen-cap banyan, Phak lueat, Pilkhan, Putkal, Sour buds tree, Suan bao shu

Synonyms

Ficus carolinensis Warb.; Ficus cunninghamii (Miquel) Miquel; Ficus infectoria Miq.; Ficus infectoria Roxb. var. lambertiana King; Ficus lacor Buch.-Ham.; Ficus lucescens Blume; Urostigma lambartiana Miq.; and others