Wonderboom fig
Ficus salicifolia

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is a spreading evergreen tree. It grows 10-20 m tall. The crown is slightly open. The bark on young branches is smooth. It is rough and grey on older stems. The leaves are simple. They are thickly leathery. The taper to a broad tip. The figs are along the branches in axils of leaves. The figs are 5-8 mm wide. They turn yellowish-pink when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can tolerate drought. It is damaged by frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall below 100 mm. It can grow in arid places. It often grows on rocky outcrops and cliffs near water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Niger, North Africa, Oman, Sahara, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit can be eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or from large branch cuttings. The seeds need to be fresh. They are very small and are mixed with fine sand for sowing. Seeds germinate in 15-20 days. Cuttings root easily if treated with rooting hormone.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Deer, Indlaleni

Synonyms

Ficus ambiguum Forssk.; Ficus cordata Thunb. subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C. C. Berg; Ficus eucalyptoides Batt. & Trab.; Ficus indica Forssk.; Ficus pretoriae Burtt Davy; Ficus salicifolia Vahl; Ficus taab Forssk.; Ficus teloukat Batt. & Trab.;