Difference between revisions of "Ficus macrophylla"

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{{Taxobox
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{{SPlantbox
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| color = lightgreen
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|familia=Moraceae
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| name = Moreton Bay Fig
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|genus=Ficus
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| image = Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG
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|species=macrophylla
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| image_width = 240px
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|common_name=Moreton Bay Fig
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| image_caption = ''Ficus macrophylla'' (Moreton Bay Fig)
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|habit=tree
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
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|Max ht box=130
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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|Max ht metric=ft
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| ordo = [[Urticales]]
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|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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| familia = [[Moraceae]]
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|Min wd box=80
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| genus = ''[[Ficus]]''
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|Min wd metric=ft
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| species = '''''F. macrophylla'''''
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|Max wd box=100
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| binomial = ''Ficus macrophylla''
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|Max wd metric=ft
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| binomial_authority = [[René Louiche Desfontaines|Desf.]] ex [[Christian Hendrik Persoon|Pers.]]
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|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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|lifespan=perennial
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|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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|exposure=sun
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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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|features=evergreen
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|min_zone=9
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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|max_zone=11
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|image=Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG
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|image_width=240
 
}}
 
}}
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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]].
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'''''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.
  
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==Description==
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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 m (200 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.  
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[[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''.
 
  
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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.
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''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.
  
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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.
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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"/>
  
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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.
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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.
  
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==A potentially invasive species==
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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"/>
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[[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).
 
  
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==References==
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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.
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[[Image:Ficus macrophylla011.jpg|thumb|right|''Ficus macrophylla''<br />[[Orto botanico di Palermo]]]]
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*George, A. S. ''Flora of Australia'', CSIRO Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0-643-05702-1
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{{Inc|
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[[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.
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{{SCH}}
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}}
  
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*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.
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==Cultivation==
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{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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*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
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===Propagation===
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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.
  
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*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.
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===Pests and diseases===
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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*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
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==Species==
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<!--  This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->
  
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== External links ==
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==Gallery==
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* [http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=853 The Santa Barbara Fig Tree]
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
  
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*[http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/ficus_macrophylla.htm ''Ficus macrophylla'' - Gallery ]<nowiki>{{PD}}</nowiki>
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<gallery>
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*  [http://www.hear.org/pier/species/ficus_macrophylla.htm Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): ''Ficus macrophylla'']
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Image:MoretonBayNaturalisedNZ.jpg|
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*  [http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plantresource_new3.php?rid=470&focus=8 National Tropical Botanical Garden: ''Ficus macrophylla'']
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Image:Ficus macrophylla011.jpg|
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* {{es}} [http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Ficusmacrophylla.htm Arboles ornamentales: ''Ficus macrophylla'' Desf. ex Pers. ]
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Image:Ficus macrophylla017.jpg|
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</gallery>
  
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{{Commons|Ficus macrophylla}}
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==References==
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
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== See also ==
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==External links==
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* [[Port Jackson Fig]]
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*{{wplink}}
  
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[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Moreton Bay]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Flora of Lord Howe Island]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
 
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[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
 
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[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
 

Latest revision as of 17:30, 26 July 2010


Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG


Plant Characteristics
Habit   tree

Height: ⇕ 130 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 130.
Width: ⇔ 80 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 80. to 100 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 100.
Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun
Features: ✓ evergreen
USDA Zones: 9 to 11
Scientific Names

Moraceae >

Ficus >

macrophylla >


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.

As Ficus macrophylla is a strangler fig; seed germination usually takes place in the canopy of a 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 m (200 ft) in height. Like all figs, it has an obligate mutualism with fig wasps; figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, and fig wasps can only reproduce in fig flowers.

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.

The Moreton Bay Fig is an evergreen tree that can reach heights of 60 m (200 ft).[1] The trunk can be massive, with thick, prominent buttressing, and reach a diameter of 2.4 m (8 ft).[2] The rough bark is grey-brown,[3] and marked with various blemishes.[4] It is monoecious: each tree bears functional male and female flowers.[5] As implied by its specific epithet, it has large, elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves, 15–30 cm (6–12 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 cm (0.75–1 in) in diameter, turning from green to purple with lighter spots as they ripen;[1] ripe fruit may be found year round,[4] although more abundant from February to May.[2] Although edible, they are unpalatable and dry.[2]

The characteristic "melting" appearance of the Moreton Bay fig is due to its habit of dropping aerial roots from its branches, which upon reaching the ground, thicken into supplementary trunks which help to support the 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.[2]

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.


Read about Ficus macrophylla in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

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. CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Do you have cultivation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Propagation

Figs have an obligate mutualism with fig wasps, (Agaonidae); figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, and fig wasps can only reproduce in fig flowers.

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Species

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

  • MoretonBayNaturalisedNZ.jpg
  • Ficus macrophylla011.jpg
  • Ficus macrophylla017.jpg

References

External links


  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Starr2003
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Floyd09
  3. ↑ Halliday, Ivan (1989). A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Melbourne: Hamlyn Australia. pp. 198. ISBN 0-947334-08-4. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Fairley
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Dixon2003
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