''Mallotus ficifolius'' is a shrub of the spurge family

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as ''Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, e ...

endemic to Northern and Central

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia. The species is commonly called fig leafed mallotus The species grows as an understorey and pioneer plant in wetter forest types including

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

and vine scrub and

gallery forest A gallery forest is one formed as a corridor along rivers or wetlands, projecting into landscapes that are otherwise only sparsely treed such as savannas, grasslands, or deserts. The gallery forest maintains a more temperate microclimate above th ...

. Plants are typically 1–3 m in height and characterised by broad hairy leaves with serrated or toothed margins. Flowers are inconspicuous and yellow. Fruit are of the lobed type typical of the

, approximately 10mm in diameter and covered with rough, spiky projections.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q6744295 ficifolia Flora of Queensland Malpighiales of Australia Taxa named by Henri Ernest Baillon Taxa named by Ferdinand Albin Pax Taxa named by Käthe Hoffmann