Ficus macrophylla - Revision history

Raffi at 17:30, 26 July 2010

2010-07-26T17:30:17Z

Rajgopal at 03:17, 20 July 2010

2010-07-20T03:17:11Z

Raffi at 20:00, 11 August 2009

2009-08-11T20:00:13Z

Raffi at 16:44, 11 August 2009

2009-08-11T16:44:44Z

Raffi at 16:42, 11 August 2009

2009-08-11T16:42:52Z

Christi at 05:38, 10 August 2009

2009-08-10T05:38:53Z

Christi at 05:37, 10 August 2009

2009-08-10T05:37:46Z

Envoy at 04:37, 1 August 2007

2007-08-01T04:37:28Z

New page

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Moreton Bay Fig
| image = Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Ficus macrophylla'' (Moreton Bay Fig)
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Urticales]]
| familia = [[Moraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Ficus]]''
| species = '''''F. macrophylla'''''
| binomial = ''Ficus macrophylla''
| binomial_authority = [[René Louiche Desfontaines|Desf.]] ex [[Christian Hendrik Persoon|Pers.]]
}}
The '''Moreton Bay Fig''' ''Ficus macrophylla'', is a large evergreen [[banyan]]. Named after [[Moreton Bay]] in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], it is a native of most of the eastern coast, from the [[Atherton Tableland]] in the north to the [[Illawarra]] in [[New South Wales]].

==Description==
[[Image:Ficus_macrophylla017.jpg|thumb|left]]The Moreton Bay Fig grows to over 60 m (200 ft) tall in its native environment. It has large, elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves and produces a [barely] edible fruit similar to the common [[Fig]], ''Ficus carica''.

The characteristic "melting" appearance of the Moreton Bay fig is due to its habit of dropping [[aerial root]]s from its branches which on reaching the ground thicken into supplementary trunks which help to support the great weight of its crown.

It is a rainforest plant and in this environment more often grows in the form of an [[epiphytic]] strangler vine than that of a tree. When its seeds land in the branch of a host tree it sends aerial, 'strangler' roots down the host trunk, eventually killing the host and standing alone.

Its roots are surface feeding and it is therefore quite susceptible to the compacting of earth around its trunk, which is why in many parks and gardens these trees are fenced off. It is water hungry and like many Australian trees should not be planted in urban environments where its roots may damage piping, nor in areas where water is scarce.

==A potentially invasive species==
[[Image:MoretonBayNaturalisedNZ.jpg|thumb|left|A young Moreton Bay Fig starts life as an epiphyte in an [[Auckland]], New Zealand park]]''Ficus macrophylla'' is commonly cultivated in [[Hawaii]] and in northern [[New Zealand]]. In both places, it has now naturalised, having acquired its pollinating wasp (''[[Pleistodontes froggatti]]''). In Hawaii the wasp was deliberately introduced in 1921, and in New Zealand it was first recorded in 1993, having apparently arrived by long-distance dispersal from Australia. The arrival of the wasp led to prolific production of fruits containing many small seeds adapted for dispersal by birds. The Moreton Bay Fig has been found growing on both native and introduced trees in New Zealand and in Hawaii. The size and vigour of this fig in New Zealand, and its lack of natural enemies, as well as its immunity to [[Common Brushtail Possum|possum]] browsing, indicate that it may be able to invade forest and other native plant communities. (Gardner and Early 1996; Starr et al., 2003).

==References==
[[Image:Ficus macrophylla011.jpg|thumb|right|''Ficus macrophylla''<br />[[Orto botanico di Palermo]]]]
*George, A. S. ''Flora of Australia'', CSIRO Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0-643-05702-1

*Starr F, Starr K, and Loope L. [http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/pdf/ficus_macrophylla.pdf ''Ficus macrophylla - Moreton bay fig - Moraceae''] United States Geological Survey--Biological Resources Division Haleakala Field Station, Maui, Hawai'i, 2003.

*Jousselin E., Rasplus J. and Kjellberg F. [http://www.cefe.cnrs.fr/coev/pdf-FK/Jousselin%20et%20al1.%202003%20Evolution.pdf ''Convergence and coevolution in a mutualism: evidence from a molecular phylogeny of Ficus'']. Evolution, 57(6), 2003, pp. 1255–1269

*Dixon, D. J. 2001. [http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/150/paper/SB99026.htm ''Figs, wasps and species concepts: a re-evaluation of the infraspecific taxa of Ficus macrophylla (Moraceae: Urostigma sect. Malvanthera)'']. Austral. Syst. Bot. 14:125–132.

*Gardner R.O., Early J.W. [http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjb/1996/115.php ''The naturalisation of banyan figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) and their pollinating wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) in New Zealand''] New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1996, Vol. 34: 103-110

== External links ==
* [http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=853 The Santa Barbara Fig Tree]

*[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/ficus_macrophylla.htm ''Ficus macrophylla'' - Gallery ]<nowiki>{{PD}}</nowiki>
* [http://www.hear.org/pier/species/ficus_macrophylla.htm Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): ''Ficus macrophylla'']
* [http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plantresource_new3.php?rid=470&focus=8 National Tropical Botanical Garden: ''Ficus macrophylla'']
* {{es}} [http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Ficusmacrophylla.htm Arboles ornamentales: ''Ficus macrophylla'' Desf. ex Pers. ]

{{Commons|Ficus macrophylla}}

== See also ==
* [[Port Jackson Fig]]

[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Moreton Bay]]
[[Category:Flora of Lord Howe Island]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{SPlantbox
 |familia=Moraceae
 |genus=Ficus
 |species=macrophylla
 |habit=tree
 |habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 |exposure=sun
 |sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
 |Temp Metric=°F
 |min_zone=9
 |usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
 |max_zone=11
-|image=Upload.png
+|image=Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG
 |image_width=240
 }}
-__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
+'''''Ficus macrophylla''''', commonly known as the '''Moreton Bay Fig''', is a large evergreen [[banyan]] tree of the [[Moraceae]] family  that is a native of most of the eastern coast of [[Australia]], from the [[Atherton Tableland]] (17° S) in the north to the [[Illawarra]] (34° S) in [[New South Wales]], and [[Lord Howe Island]]. Its common name is derived from [[Moreton Bay]] in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]].  It is best known for its beautiful [[buttress roots]], which are also known for damaging municipal footpaths.
-| name = ''Ficus macrophylla''
-| common_names =     <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
+As ''Ficus macrophylla'' is a [[strangler fig]]; seed germination usually takes place in the canopy of a [[host (biology)|host]] tree and the seedling lives as an [[epiphyte]] until its roots establish contact with the ground.  It then enlarges and strangles its host, eventually becoming a freestanding tree by itself.  Individuals may reach 60&nbsp;m (200&nbsp;ft) in height.  Like all figs, it has an obligate [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualism]] with [[fig wasp]]s; figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, and fig wasps can only reproduce in fig flowers.
-| growth_habit = ?   <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
-| high = ?   <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
+''Ficus macrophylla'' is widely used as a feature tree in public parks and gardens in warmer climates such as California, Portugal, Sicily and Australia. Old specimens can reach tremendous size. Its aggressive root system allows its use in only the largest private gardens.
-| wide =     <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
-| origin = ?   <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
+The Moreton Bay Fig is an evergreen tree that can reach heights of 60&nbsp;m (200&nbsp;ft).<ref name = Starr2003/> The trunk can be massive, with thick, prominent [[buttress]]ing, and reach a diameter of 2.4&nbsp;m (8&nbsp;ft).<ref name="Floyd09"/> The rough bark is grey-brown,<ref name=Hallstreet>{{cite book |title=A Field Guide to Australian Trees |last=Halliday |first=Ivan |year=1989 |publisher=Hamlyn Australia |location=Melbourne |isbn=0-947334-08-4 |pages=198}}</ref> and marked with various blemishes.<ref name=Fairley/> It is [[monoecious]]: each tree bears functional male and female flowers.<ref name = Dixon2003/>  As implied by its specific epithet, it has large, elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves, 15–30&nbsp;cm (6–12&nbsp;in) long, and they are arranged alternately on the stems. The leaves and branches bleed a milky sap if cut or broken. The figs are 2–2.5&nbsp;cm (0.75–1&nbsp;in) in diameter, turning from green to purple with lighter spots as they ripen;<ref name = Starr2003/> ripe fruit may be found year round,<ref name=Fairley/> although more abundant from February to May.<ref name="Floyd09"/> Although edible, they are unpalatable and dry.<ref name="Floyd09"/>
-| poisonous =     <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
-| lifespan =     <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
+The characteristic "melting" appearance of the Moreton Bay fig is due to its habit of dropping [[aerial root]]s from its branches, which upon reaching the ground, thicken into supplementary trunks which help to support the weight of its crown.
-| exposure = ?   <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
-| water = ?   <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
+It is a rainforest plant and in this environment more often grows in the form of an [[epiphytic]] strangler vine than that of a tree.  When its seeds land in the branch of a host tree it sends aerial, 'strangler' roots down the host trunk, eventually killing the host and standing alone.<ref name="Floyd09"/>
-| features =     <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
-| hardiness =     <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
+Its roots are surface feeding and it is quite susceptible to earth compaction around its trunk, which is why in many locations these trees are fenced.  It is water-hungry, and like many Australian trees should neither be planted in urban environments where its roots may damage piping, nor where water is scarce.
-| bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
 {{Inc|
 [[Ficus]] macrophylla, Desf. Moreton Bay Fig. Lvs. 6-10 in. long, 3-4 in. wide; stipules 2-4 in. long: fr. nearly globular, 9-12 lines thick, axillary, in 3's or 4's, on short, thick peduncles. Austral.—Much planted in S. and Cent. Calif., where, however, it does not produce seed. F. von Mueller says it is perhaps the grandest of Australian avenue trees. Ernest Braunton claimes for this species partial or perhaps complete immunity from frost. He cites a specimen in California which leaved out after a heavy frost and is still healthy after more than a year since the frost.
@@ Line 61: / Line 49: @@
 ===Propagation===
-{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
+Figs have an obligate [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualism]] with [[fig wasp]]s, (Agaonidae); figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, and fig wasps can only reproduce in fig flowers.
 ===Pests and diseases===
@@ Line 88: / Line 76: @@
 {{stub}}
-[[Category:Categorize]]
+__NOTOC__

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:17, 20 July 2010
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		+	{{SPlantbox
		+	\|familia=Moraceae
		+	\|genus=Ficus
		+	\|species=macrophylla
		+	\|habit=tree
		+	\|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|Max ht box=130
		+	\|Max ht metric=ft
		+	\|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|Min wd box=80
		+	\|Min wd metric=ft
		+	\|Max wd box=100
		+	\|Max wd metric=ft
		+	\|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|lifespan=perennial
		+	\|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|exposure=sun
		+	\|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|Temp Metric=°F
		+	\|min_zone=9
		+	\|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
		+	\|max_zone=11
		+	\|image=Upload.png
		+	\|image_width=240
		+	}}
	__NOTOC__{{Plantbox		__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
	\| name = ''Ficus macrophylla''		\| name = ''Ficus macrophylla''

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 }}
 {{Inc|
-Ficus macrophylla, Desf. Moreton Bay Fio. Lvs. 6-10 in. long, 3-4 in. wide; stipules 2-4 in. long: fr. nearly globular, 9-12 lines thick, axillary, in 3's or 4's, on short, thick peduncles. Austral.—Much planted in S. and Cent. Calif., where, however, it ................seed. F. von Mueller says it is perhaps ......of Australian avenue trees. Ernest ........... for this species partial or perhaps ............from frost. He cites a specimen in ..........out after a heavy frost and is still.......more than a year has elapsed since ........
+[[Ficus]] macrophylla, Desf. Moreton Bay Fig. Lvs. 6-10 in. long, 3-4 in. wide; stipules 2-4 in. long: fr. nearly globular, 9-12 lines thick, axillary, in 3's or 4's, on short, thick peduncles. Austral.—Much planted in S. and Cent. Calif., where, however, it does not produce seed. F. von Mueller says it is perhaps the grandest of Australian avenue trees. Ernest Braunton claimes for this species partial or perhaps complete immunity from frost. He cites a specimen in California which leaved out after a heavy frost and is still healthy after more than a year since the frost.
 {{SCH}}
 }}

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 <gallery>
-Image:Upload.png| photo 1
+Image:MoretonBayNaturalisedNZ.jpg|
-Image:Upload.png| photo 2
+Image:Ficus macrophylla011.jpg|
-Image:Upload.png| photo 3
+Image:Ficus macrophylla017.jpg|
 </gallery>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Inc|
 Ficus macrophylla, Desf. Moreton Bay Fio. Lvs. 6-10 in. long, 3-4 in. wide; stipules 2-4 in. long: fr. nearly globular, 9-12 lines thick, axillary, in 3's or 4's, on short, thick peduncles. Austral.—Much planted in S. and Cent. Calif., where, however, it ................seed. F. von Mueller says it is perhaps ......of Australian avenue trees. Ernest ........... for this species partial or perhaps ............from frost. He cites a specimen in ..........out after a heavy frost and is still.......more than a year has elapsed since ........
-}}<br>
+==Cultivation==
+{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
-*Dixon, D. J. 2001. [http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/150/paper/SB99026.htm ''Figs, wasps and species concepts: a re-evaluation of the infraspecific taxa of Ficus macrophylla (Moraceae: Urostigma sect. Malvanthera)'']. Austral. Syst. Bot. 14:125–132.
+===Propagation===
-*Gardner R.O., Early J.W. [http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjb/1996/115.php ''The naturalisation of banyan figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) and their pollinating wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) in New Zealand''] New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1996, Vol. 34: 103-110
+===Pests and diseases===
-== External links  ==
+==Species==
-*[http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=853 The Santa Barbara Fig Tree]
+==Gallery==
-*[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/ficus_macrophylla.htm ''Ficus macrophylla'' - Gallery ]<nowiki>{{PD}}</nowiki>
+<gallery>
-*[http://www.hear.org/pier/species/ficus_macrophylla.htm Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): ''Ficus macrophylla'']
+Image:Upload.png| photo 1
-*[http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plantresource_new3.php?rid=470&focus=8 National Tropical Botanical Garden: ''Ficus macrophylla'']
+Image:Upload.png| photo 2
-*{{es}} [http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Ficusmacrophylla.htm Arboles ornamentales: ''Ficus macrophylla'' Desf. ex Pers. ]
+Image:Upload.png| photo 3
-{{Commons|Ficus macrophylla}}
+==References==
-== See also  ==
+==External links==
-*[[Port Jackson Fig]]
+{{stub}}
-[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Moreton Bay]] [[Category:Flora_of_Lord_Howe_Island]] [[Category:Flora_of_New_South_Wales]] [[Category:Flora_of_Australia]] [[Category:Trees_of_Australia]]
+<!--  in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions!    -->

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Ficus macrophylla, Desf. Moreton Bay Fio. Lvs. 6-10 in. long, 3-4 in. wide; stipules 2-4 in. long: fr. nearly globular, 9-12 lines thick, axillary, in 3's or 4's, on short, thick peduncles. Austral.—Much planted in S. and Cent. Calif., where, however, it ................seed. F. von Mueller says it is perhaps ......of Australian avenue trees. Ernest ........... for this species partial or perhaps ............from frost. He cites a specimen in ..........out after a heavy frost and is still.......more than a year has elapsed since ........<br><br>
+{{Inc|
 {{Taxobox
@@ Line 18: / Line 22: @@
 }} The '''Moreton Bay Fig''' ''Ficus macrophylla'', is a large evergreen [[Banyan]]. Named after [[Moreton Bay]] in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], it is a native of most of the eastern coast, from the [[Atherton Tableland]] in the north to the [[Illawarra]] in [[New South Wales]].
-== Description ==
+== Description  ==
 [[Image:Ficus macrophylla017.jpg|thumb|left]]The Moreton Bay Fig grows to over 60 m (200 ft) tall in its native environment. It has large, elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves and produces a [barely] edible fruit similar to the common [[Fig]], ''Ficus carica''.
@@ Line 28: / Line 32: @@
 Its roots are surface feeding and it is therefore quite susceptible to the compacting of earth around its trunk, which is why in many parks and gardens these trees are fenced off. It is water hungry and like many Australian trees should not be planted in urban environments where its roots may damage piping, nor in areas where water is scarce.
-== A potentially invasive species ==
+== A potentially invasive species  ==
 [[Image:MoretonBayNaturalisedNZ.jpg|thumb|left]]''Ficus macrophylla'' is commonly cultivated in [[Hawaii]] and in northern [[New Zealand]]. In both places, it has now naturalised, having acquired its pollinating wasp (''[[Pleistodontes froggatti]]''). In Hawaii the wasp was deliberately introduced in 1921, and in New Zealand it was first recorded in 1993, having apparently arrived by long-distance dispersal from Australia. The arrival of the wasp led to prolific production of fruits containing many small seeds adapted for dispersal by birds. The Moreton Bay Fig has been found growing on both native and introduced trees in New Zealand and in Hawaii. The size and vigour of this fig in New Zealand, and its lack of natural enemies, as well as its immunity to [[Common Brushtail Possum|possum]] browsing, indicate that it may be able to invade forest and other native plant communities. (Gardner and Early 1996; Starr et al., 2003).
-== References ==
+== References  ==
 [[Image:Ficus macrophylla011.jpg|thumb|right]]