Species

Ficus rubiginosa

Etymology

Ficus: The Latin name for fig tree, possibly derived from the Hebrew word fag
rubiginosa: rust-coloured

Common Name(s)

Port Jackson fig

Family

Moraceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Habitat

Terrestrial. Rock walls, firm rocky outcrops. Phoenix palm trunks

Features

Evergreen small to large tree often starting life as an epiphyte. Leaves smooth above, densely clothed in fine reddish hairs below, oval, 4-12 cm long. Fruit yellow to dull red to 20 mm wide.

Similar Taxa

Can be distinguished from Morton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla) by the smaller, hairy leaves, and smaller fruit.

Flowering

December, January, February

Year Naturalised

1981

Origin

NSW, Queensland

Reason For Introduction
Ornamental

Life Cycle Comments
Perennial.

Reproduction
Reproduces from seed. Some layering and resprouting from aerial roots may occur.

Dispersal
Birds.

This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010