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| coastal plants > figs in general |
| Brown-scurfy
fig Ficus consociata Family Moraceae updated Feb 11 Where seen? A large specimen was seen sprawled over the natural cliffs at Lazarus Island. According to Corners, it was found in lowland forests, along rivers and seashores. According to Hsuan Keng, it was found in Bukit Timah. Features: A strangling fig that grows as a shrub. According to Corners, it is rarely large and "seldom standing without its host". Leaves stiff and leathery (7-27cm long), broad, oval with rounded or slightly pointed tip, base tapered or slightly heart-shaped, and 5-10 pairs of conspicuous veins. Young leaves and twigs have dense brown hair which makes them feel woolly. Mature leaves have fine brown scrufy hair on the underside. The figs are small (1-1.5cm) covered with brown hairs and have a characteristic circle of pink around the opening (ostiole). They ripen orange-red, and appear in pairs in the leaf axils. According to Corners, the plant only produces its first crop of figs when it is 8-9 years old. Human uses: According to Burkill, like the India-rubber tree (Ficus elastica), it also produces a latex that was used as rubber. Unfortunately, the latex of this fig also contains a resin that hardens with time thus making the latex less elastic. Ficus consociata var murtoni is a variety of this fig that is said to "yield uncommonly well to tapping". Sadly, Burkill reports this variety had been tapped out of existence in southern Sumatra. Status and threats: Ficus consociata var murtoni is listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11  |
 Lazarus Island, Jun 09  |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11  |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11  |
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References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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