Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets Ficus microcarpa - Indian Laurel Fig

Edible Portion : Fruit, Aerial root - tea.

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.

Distribution : 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.