''Ficus auriculata'', the Roxburgh fig,
is a type of fig tree, native to Asia,
noted for its big and round leaves.
Description
This plant is a small tree of high with numerous bristle-covered branches. The leaves are big and round, and are up to long and wide, with cordate or rounded base, acute apex, and 5–7 main veins from the leaf base. Its petioles are up to long, and it has stipules of about long. The plant has oblate
syconium
Syconium (plural ''syconia'') is the type of inflorescence borne by figs (genus ''Ficus''), formed by an enlarged, fleshy, hollow receptacle with multiple ovaries on the inside surface. In essence, it is really a fleshy stem with a number of flow ...
that are up to wide, covered with yellow pubescence, and emerge from the trunk or old branches of the tree.
''Ficus auriculata'' is
dioecious
Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...
, with male and female flowers produced on separate individuals. It grows in forests in moist valleys.
''
Ceratosolen emarginatus'' is the insect that helps to pollinate this plant.
Uses
The fresh fruit of this plant is consumed as food, and has diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties.
''Ficus auriculata'' is used as fodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight.
Photo gallery
File:Fig_Fruits,_അത്തിപ്പഴം.JPG, Fruit emerging from trunk and branches
File:Fig_Leaves,_അത്തിയില.JPG, Leaf of elephant ear fig
File:Ficus auriculata 04.jpg, Fruit
File:Ficus auriculata leaf.jpg, Leaf
File:Ficus auriculata fruit 2.jpg, Fruit
File:Ficus auriculata seeds, by Omar Hoftun.jpg, Seeds
References
External links
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q4959177
auriculata
Flora of the Indian subcontinent
Flora of Indo-China
Flora of China
Dioecious plants
Taxa named by João de Loureiro