Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Vegetable, Bark, Gum
A fig. It is a deciduous tree. It grows to 13-25 m high and spreads to 14 m across. It has a rounded crown. The stem is erect. Sometimes the stem has buttresses. The base of the tree commonly spreads over the ground. The bark is yellowish. The leaves are olive green, oval or almost round. They are 5-12 cm long and 3-10 cm wide. The leaves are rough and leathery. They are hairy. The edge of the leaf is wavy and roughly toothed. The leaf stalk is 3 cm long. In dry seasons the tree may lose its leaves. The flowers are 2 cm across and roundish. The fruit are small and edible. They are 3 cm across. They grow in dense clusters in the axils of leaves or on main branches and on the trunk. The fruit are yellow-red when ripe.
A tropical plant. They will grow on most soils. Soils need to be well drained. They prefer a sunny open position. It is drought and frost resistant. It is probably damaged by frost when in leaf. It can grow in hot and arid regions. It grows well near rivers. In Africa trees are commonly near rivers in dry regions. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 200-1,800 mm. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa. It grows in the Sahel. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Common Names: Asses fig, Atielowinyo, Bamba, Barde, Bobi, Daray, Ebobore, Ebwalai, Ecalawinyo, Egyptian sycamore, Ejinga, Emidit, Engop, Eta, Figueira-branca, Fuqa, Ganyaya, Gomeiz, Harbu, Hillteta, Ibbi debbi, Ikuku, Ingaboli, Kajare, Kankanga, Katjere, Le'a, Mochaba, Mbuyo, Mkuu, Mkuwa, Mkuyu, Mochaba, Mogoboya, Msoho, Msombe, Mtsombe, Muhuyalukuse, Muhuyuvhuwa, Mukankanwa, Mukuiu, Mukumyu, Mukunyu, Mukuyu, Mulberry fig, Muonde, Mutole, Nkuwa, Nomas, Nshembe, Oda, Odaa, Olam, Ol-gnagboli, Omukwiyu, Orng'aboli, Ourof, Pharoah's fig, Saqam, Saqum, Shafa, Shola, Sou toro, Subula, Suqmi, Sycamore in the Bible, Trosvy, Umkhiwa, Wokoyo, Wola, Wuuri
Synonyms:
Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) A Rich.;
Ficus damarensis Engl.;
Ficus mucuso Welw. ex Ficalho;
Ficus trachyphylla Fenzl.;
and several others