Ficus superba

Sea fig
Sea Fig in Japan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Subgenus: F. subg. Urostigma
Species:
F. superba
Binomial name
Ficus superba
Synonyms
  • Ficus petiolata Reinw. ex Miq.
  • Ficus tenuipes S.Moore
  • Ficus timorensis Decne.
  • Urostigma accedens Miq.
  • Urostigma superbum Miq.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ficus superba.

Ficus superba,[1] also known as sea fig or deciduous fig, is a hemiepiphytic tree of genus Ficus. It is one of the species known as banyans or "strangler figs" because of its potential to grow as a hemi-epiphyte and eventually progress to the strangling habit of species in this subgenus. It is, however, not an obligate hemi-epiphyte and can be found growing as single stemmed trees in forests. It is found in Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and China, as well as various parts of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Java, Kalimantan, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Seram Island, and Peninsular Malaysia. According to E.J.H. Corner, if this fig germinates in a boulder field its roots can extend "extraordinary distances, up to several hundred feet" over and between the rocks.[2]

Varieties and synonyms

The variety Ficus superba var. henneana grows in Australia where it may reach 35 metres tall.[3]

Other varieties have now been reclassified as synonyms:

  • New buds.
    New buds.
  • New bud with bud scales.
    New bud with bud scales.
  • The leaves turn golden before falling.
    The leaves turn golden before falling.
  • The leaves fall 2 to 4 times a year. It only takes about 2 weeks to grow new leaves after deciduous leaves.
    The leaves fall 2 to 4 times a year. It only takes about 2 weeks to grow new leaves after deciduous leaves.
  • Immatured syconus. It is red when mature.
    Immatured syconus. It is red when mature.
  • The syconus grow densely. It's the food that the birds like.
    The syconus grow densely. It's the food that the birds like.
  • Tree trunk and aerial roots.
    Tree trunk and aerial roots.
  • Tree trunk and aerial roots.
    Tree trunk and aerial roots.

References

  1. ^ Miquel FAW (1866) Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 2: 200.
  2. ^ Corner, E.J.H. (1940). Wayside Trees of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur: Malayan Nature Society. pp. 527–529.
  3. ^ "Ficus superba". Plant Net - Flora Online. NSW Government. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  4. ^ The Plant List (retrieved 17 January 2020)
  5. ^ The Plant List (retrieved 17 January 2020)