Figs in general
Jejawi or Malayan banyan
Ficus microcarpa

Family Moraceae

updated Feb 11
Where seen? A fabulous specimen of this humungous tree grows next to the tower on the Chek Jawa boardwalk. The tower is in fact named after the tree! According to Hsuan Keng, they were formerly found in coastal and riverine habitats, but the stranglers became common on ornamental trees and forest margins in the water catchment area. According to Corners, the tree grows from rocky sea coasts to limestone hills but in Malaya it was mostly found along tidal river banks. Here, the trees form 'an impassable thicket' in the back mangroves. Sometimes confused with Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa.

Features: A strangling fig that can grow into enormous trees. Young saplings often grow in cracks in old drains and walls and on delapidated buildings. They can grow into large trees with stout prop roots and a curtain of slender aerial roots. According to Corners, those growing on rocky shores which are constantly exposed to wind and salty spray are often "dwarfed into creeping bushes with gnarled branches, growing flat along the rocks". Whereas in town, the tree "gets out of hand and attacks many roadside trees" giving Fort Canning as an example. The oval leaves are small (5-7cm), smooth and leathery. The figs are round and small (about 1cm) and ripens dark pink to deep purple.

Role in the habitat: A figging Jejawi attracts a whole range of creatures from fruit eating birds of all kinds to squirrels and long-tailed macaques.

Human uses: According to Burkill, in India, various parts of the tree are used to treat wounds, bruises, headaches and other ailments.


The tall Jejawi next to Jejawi Tower.
Chek Jawa, Oct 09

Chek Jawa, Oct 09

Chek Jawa, Oct 09

Chek Jawa, Oct 09



On a natural cliff
Lazarus Island, Feb 11

Lazarus Island, Feb 11


On a natural cliff
Sentosa, Apr 11

Sentosa, Apr 11

Birds in a figging Jejawi

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Chek Jawa, Mar 10

Links

  • Ficus microcarpa on Total Vascular Flora of Singapore Online: photos and fact sheet.

References

 
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