Ficus tremula is an hemi-epiphytic species within the family Moraceae. It is pollinated by the fig wasp, Courtella wardi.[1]
| Ficus tremula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Species: | F. tremula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus tremula | |
Subspecies
editFicus tremula has three subspecies:[2]
- Ficus tremula subsp. acuta (De Wild.) C.C.Berg
- Ficus tremula subsp. kimuenzensis (Warb.) C.C.Berg
- Ficus tremula subsp. tremula
Description
editFicus tremula is hemi-epiphytic shrub or tree that can reach 10 metres (33 ft) tall with leafy and greyish stems. Leaves are arranged spirally, the length of the petiole ranges from 0.7–4.5 centimetres (0.3–1.8 in) while the stipule's range is 2–10 millimetres (0.08–0.39 in).[3] Leaflets are oblong to elliptical in shape, about 2–11 centimetres (0.8–4.3 in) long and 1–5 centimetres (0.4–2.0 in) wide with a margin that is entire. The leaf texture is letherly to papery with a rounded or cordate base and a subacute to acuminate apex.[3]
Its figs are borne in fascicles, are elliptic to globular in shape and yellowish to green in color when ripe, they can reach up to 2 centimetres (0.8 in) in diameter.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editOccurs in Central and Eastern Africa and also in Nigeria and in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Found in upand and lowland in rain forest and savannah environments.[3]
Uses
editIn parts of Kenya, fish traps are made from strings produced from fibres obtained from the stem bark of the tree.[5]
References
edit- ^ Ungricht, Stefan; Rasplus, Jean–Yves; Kjellberg, Finn (2004). "(1626–1628) Proposals to conserve names of extant fig trees against senior homonyms of fossils: Ficus crassipes F.M. Bailey against F. crassipes (Heer) Heer, Ficus tiliifolia Baker against F. tiliifolia (A. Braun) Heer and Ficus tremula Warb. against F. tremula Heer ( Moraceae )". Taxon. 53 (2): 566–568. doi:10.2307/4135646. ISSN 0040-0262. JSTOR 4135646.
- ^ "Ficus tremula". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Berg, Cornelis C.; Hijman, Maria E. E. (1989). Moraceae. Flora of tropical East Africa / prepared at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with assistance from the East African Herbarium. Ed.: R. M. Polhill. Rotterdam: Balkema [u.a.] ISBN 978-90-6191-350-4.
- ^ van Greuning, J. V. (1990-12-01). "A synopsis of the genus Ficus (Moraceae) in southern Africa". South African Journal of Botany. 56 (6): 599–630. doi:10.1016/S0254-6299(16)30997-8. ISSN 0254-6299.
- ^ Brink, M., ed. (2012). Plant resources of tropical Africa. Fibres / ed.: M. Brink. Weikersheim: PROTA Foundation. p. 180. ISBN 978-92-9081-482-5.