Ficus - San Diego Zoo

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Sweet Sandpaper Fig
Ficus opposita
Shiny Sandpaper Fig
13
Ficus fraseri
11
Malesia, a region encompassing islands from Indonesia to
Papua New Guinea, is an area of incredible biodiversity.
Riverine Fig
Ficus adenosperma
This smaller-sized tree grows near
creeks and in rain forest scrublands
in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and
Australia. The leaves can take on
many forms, including having
lobed indentations on the margins.
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Found throughout Malesia and in
eastern Australia, this small, yet
resilient plant can grow in many
environments and even survive
occasional wildfires. Its common
name comes from the sweet figs it
produces and the sandpaper-like
texture of its leaves.
Figwood
14
Ficus virgata
12
Spanning Asia, Malesia, and tropical
northern Australia, this mediumsized tree is useful to humans and
animals alike. The bright-orange
figs are eaten by metallic starlings,
a threatened bird from New Guinea
and Australia.
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FACT
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An odd rheophyte found growing
along creeks and riverbanks from
New Guinea to Australia. These
trees look delicate, but they are
very strong and are able to survive
yearly floods and strong currents.
A rheophyte is a type of plant that grows in fastmoving water. Its widespread system of strong roots
keep it anchored.
Figs are a favorite food for a host of fruit bats. For
example, this fig species is sought-after food by grayheaded flying foxes.
The sap has been used to protect against insect bites
and, in the past, leaves were boiled with goat milk to
help soften the arteries in people.
Red-leaf Fig
Ficus congesta
The figs of this small tree dangle
from the trunk, not the branches.
Native to forest edges and clearings
throughout New Guinea and tropical
Australia, this small tree’s new leaf
growth is an eye-catching red.
Made possible through the generosity of
FUN
FACT
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation
In Australia, fig trees provide many birds with a food
source. Cassowaries, in particular, favor red-leaf fig fruit.
sandiegozoo.org
Ficus
Ficus velutina
Red-leaved Fig
Ficus ingens
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A large-growing tree of moist, upland
regions from Mexico to Brazil. In its
native environment, orchids, mosses,
and other epiphytic plants cover the
branches, creating a whole ecosystem
on the tree.
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5
Blueberry Fig
Ficus vacciniodes
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6
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The word banyan comes from banias, the word used for
Indian vendors who set up markets under these trees.
Malagasy Rock Fig
Ficus menabeensis
A lithophyte is a type of plant that grows on rocks.
There are many lithophytic ficus, commonly called
rock figs.
Socotran Fig
Ficus vasta
Socotra, off the coast of Yemen, is often called the
‘Galápagos of the Indian Ocean’ because of the incredible
biodiversity found there.
Lava Fig
Ficus petiolaris
This species from the Pacific
Coast of Mexico is one of the most
spectacular and odd-looking ficus
trees on Earth. They are almost
always found growing on rocks,
with their roots hugging the
boulders, looking like flowing lava.
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The genus Ficus represents over 850 species of trees,
shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and lithophytes around the
world, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions.
Green-leaved Moreton Bay Fig
Ficus watkinsiana
This large strangler fig from the
rain forests of eastern Australia can
reach heights of up to 135 feet and
forms massive buttress roots. The
figs are a main food source
for catbirds.
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Once thought to only be found
on the islands of Socotra, this
spectacular tree is native to many
parts of the Horn of Africa as well. It
requires very little care and minimal
water, making it a perfect tree for
San Diego!
Not all fig trees are big. In fact,
many types grow as vines, shrubs,
or small plants. This sprawling,
vine-like species comes from
southern Taiwan where it grows
among boulders near the coastline.
When the figs of this species are ripe, they look like
blueberries—hence the name!
7
This variable ficus from
Madagascar can be a shrub, tree,
or small rock fig depending on
what environment it grows in.
It is nearly always associated
with rocks in the arid regions of
Madagascar.
A sprawling rock fig from many
regions of Africa. It grows on
rocks or cliff faces in drier regions,
becoming a forest tree in higher
rainfall areas. It goes through a
brief deciduous period, followed
by a flush of bright-red foliage.
Many species of ficus are good for bonsai—including
Ficus ingens, due to its attractive form and ease
of growing.
Ficus benghalensis
One of the largest-growing trees in
the world. It is said that Alexander
the Great rested his army of 7,000
soldiers under a single banyan in
India. In its native, tropical climate,
the tree produces many aerial roots
that reach the ground.
Velvet Fig
This species name comes from the velvety
hairs covering its leaves.
Banyan
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FACT
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4
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FACT
begins by Rio 4-D Theater in Discovery Outpost,
continues behind the Reptile House then along
Front Street past Map Locators 4 to 8.
Many ripe figs on a Ficus watkinsiana turn purple and fall to
the ground where they are eaten by cassowaries.
Highland Breadfruit Tree
Ficus dammaropsis
This tree from the highlands
of New Guinea produces giant
leaves and softball-size figs.
They are very hard to propagate,
leading it to be a very uncommon,
spectacular plant.
FUN
FACT
Match the numbers to the plant ID signs. The tour
In Papua New Guinea, people cook the young
leaves of this tree as a vegetable and serve the
dish with pig meat.
10
Sweet Sandpaper Fig
Ficus opposita
Shiny Sandpaper Fig
13
Ficus fraseri
11
Malesia, a region encompassing islands from Indonesia to
Papua New Guinea, is an area of incredible biodiversity.
Riverine Fig
Ficus adenosperma
This smaller-sized tree grows near
creeks and in rain forest scrublands
in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and
Australia. The leaves can take on
many forms, including having
lobed indentations on the margins.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
Found throughout Malesia and in
eastern Australia, this small, yet
resilient plant can grow in many
environments and even survive
occasional wildfires. Its common
name comes from the sweet figs it
produces and the sandpaper-like
texture of its leaves.
Figwood
14
Ficus virgata
12
Spanning Asia, Malesia, and tropical
northern Australia, this mediumsized tree is useful to humans and
animals alike. The bright-orange
figs are eaten by metallic starlings,
a threatened bird from New Guinea
and Australia.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
An odd rheophyte found growing
along creeks and riverbanks from
New Guinea to Australia. These
trees look delicate, but they are
very strong and are able to survive
yearly floods and strong currents.
A rheophyte is a type of plant that grows in fastmoving water. Its widespread system of strong roots
keep it anchored.
Figs are a favorite food for a host of fruit bats. For
example, this fig species is sought-after food by grayheaded flying foxes.
The sap has been used to protect against insect bites
and, in the past, leaves were boiled with goat milk to
help soften the arteries in people.
Red-leaf Fig
Ficus congesta
The figs of this small tree dangle
from the trunk, not the branches.
Native to forest edges and clearings
throughout New Guinea and tropical
Australia, this small tree’s new leaf
growth is an eye-catching red.
Made possible through the generosity of
FUN
FACT
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation
In Australia, fig trees provide many birds with a food
source. Cassowaries, in particular, favor red-leaf fig fruit.
sandiegozoo.org
Ficus