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Ficus rubiginosa (view source)

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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
 
|familia=Moraceae
 
|familia=Moraceae
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|genus=Ficus  
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|genus=Ficus
 
|species=rubiginosa
 
|species=rubiginosa
 
|habit=tree
 
|habit=tree
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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
 
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
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|features=bonsai, houseplant
 
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
 
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
 
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|image=Port Jackson Fig detail.jpg
 
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{{Taxobox
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The '''Port Jackson Fig''' (''Ficus rubiginosa'') , also known as the '''Little-leaf Fig''' or the '''Rusty Fig''', is a tree in the family [[Moraceae]] that is native to eastern [[Australia]]. It is a [[banyan]] of the genus ''[[Ficus]]'' which contains around 750 species worldwide in warm climates, including the [[Common Fig|edible fig]] (''Ficus carica'').  
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| color = lightgreen
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| name = Port Jackson Fig
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| image = Port Jackson Fig detail.jpg
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| image_width = 240px
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| image_caption = Port Jackson Fig leaves and fruit
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| ordo = [[Urticales]]
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| familia = [[Moraceae]]
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| genus = ''[[Ficus]]''
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| species = '''''F. rubiginosa'''''
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| binomial = ''Ficus rubiginosa''
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| binomial_authority = [[René Louiche Desfontaines|Desf.]] ex [[Étienne Pierre Ventenat|Vent.]]
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}}
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The '''Port Jackson Fig''' (''Ficus rubiginosa'') , also known as the '''Little-leaf Fig''' or the '''Rusty Fig''', is a native of eastern [[Australia]] and a [[banyan]] of the genus ''[[Ficus]]'' which contains over 600 species worldwide in warm climates, including the [[Common Fig|edible fig]] (''Ficus carica'').  
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Like all figs it requires pollination by a particular wasp species to set seed. This actually occurs fairly readily as fig seedlings are a common sight in walls, cracks, crevices and buildings in urban areas of cities such as [[Sydney]]. Well known in parks and public gardens in east coast towns and cities, it is also a valuable plant for wildlife and habitat. Old specimens can reach tremendous size. Its aggressive root system precludes its use in all but the largest private gardens, although it is highly popular and well-suited for use in [[bonsai]].
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Well known in parks and public gardens in east coast towns and cities, it is also a valuable plant for wildlife and habitat. Like all figs it requires pollination by a particular wasp species to set seed. This actually occurs fairly readily as fig seedlings are a common site in walls, cracks, crevices and buildings in urban areas of cities such as [[Sydney]].
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''Ficus rubiginosa'' forms a spreading densely shading tree when mature, and may reach 30&nbsp;m (100&nbsp;[[foot|ft]]) in height, although it rarely exceeds 10&nbsp;m (30&nbsp;ft) in the Sydney region.<ref name=Fairley>{{cite book |author = Fairley A, Moore P |title=Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide |year=2000 |edition= 2nd|publisher=Kangaroo Press |pages=62|location=Kenthurst, NSW |isbn=0-7318-1031-7}}</ref> The trunk is buttressed and can reach 1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter, and the bark is a yellow-brown in colour.<ref name="Floyd09"/> Its appearance is that of a small version of its relative the Moreton Bay fig (''[[Ficus macrophylla|F. macrophylla]]''), the Port Jackson being generally smaller, with smaller fruit and leaves. Its ovate to oval-shaped leaves are 6-10&nbsp;cm (2.4-4&nbsp;in) long on 1-4&nbsp;cm (0.4-1.6&nbsp;in) petioles. Often growing in pairs, the figs are yellow ripening to red in colour, tipped with a small nipple and on a 2-5&nbsp;mm stalk.<ref name=Fairley/> Fruit ripen throughout the year, although there is a preponderance from February to July.<ref name="Floyd09"/>
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It was known as '''damun''' (pron. "tam-mun") to the local [[Eora]] and [[Darug]]
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Having similar ranges in the wild they are often confused, the smaller leaves, shorter fruit stalks, and rusty colour of the undersides of the leaves of the Port Jackson Fig being the easiest distinguishing feature.<ref name=Fairley/> It is also confused with the small-leaved fig (''[[Ficus obliqua|F. obliqua]]'').<ref name = Dixon2001>{{cite journal | last = Dixon | first = Dale J.|coauthors=Jackes, Betsy R.; Bielig, L. M.  | year = 2001 | title = Figuring out the figs: the ''Ficus obliqua-Ficus rubiginosa'' Complex (Moraceae: Urostigma sect. Malvanthera)  | journal = Australian Systematic Botany| volume = 14 | issue = 1 | pages = 133-54}}</ref>
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inhabitants of the Sydney basin.<ref>{{cite book|author=Troy, Jakelin|year=1993|title=The sydney language|publisher=Jakelin Troy, Canberra}}</ref>
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==Description==
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In tropical and humid climates, the lower branches of the Port Jackson Fig may form aerial roots which  strike root upon reaching to the ground, forming secondary root systems. This process is known as ''banyaning'' after the [[banyan]] tree of which it is a characteristic.
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[[image:Port Jackson Fig.jpg|thumb|left|Port Jackson Fig]]
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It is slow growing, reaching 7-15 metres in height when mature, forming a spreading densely shading tree. Its appearance is that of a small version of its relative the [[Moreton Bay Fig]], the Port Jackson being generally smaller, with smaller fruit and leaves. Having similar ranges in the wild they are often confused, the rusty colour of the undersides of the leaves of the Port Jackson Fig being the easiest distinguishing feature.
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In tropical and humid climates, the lower branches of the Port Jackson Fig may form aerial roots which  strike root upon reaching to the ground, forming secondary root systems. This process is known as ''banyaning'' after the [[banyan]] tree of which it is a characteristic.
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It is commonly used as a large [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]] in eastern Australia, in the North Island of New Zealand,<ref name=ROG/> and also in [[Hawaii]] and [[California]] in the [[USA]], where it is also listed as an [[invasive species]] in some areas. It is useful as a shade tree in public parks and golf courses.<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=200}}</ref> Despite the size of the leaves, it is popular for [[bonsai]] work as it is extremely forgiving to work with and hard to kill; the leaves reduce readily by leaf-pruning in early summer. It has been described as the best tree for a beginner to work with, and is one of the most frequently used native species in Australia.<ref name="Hnat11">{{cite journal | last = McCrone| first = Mark | year = 2006 | title = Growing Port Jackson Fig as Bonsai in a Warm Temperate Climate | journal = [[Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants|ASGAP]] Australian Plants As Bonsai Study Group Newsletter | issue = 11 | pages = 3–4}}</ref> A narrow leaved form with its origins somewhere north of Sydney is also seen in cultivation.<ref>{{cite book |title=Rainforest to Bonsai |last=Webber |first=Len |year=1991 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=East Roseville, NSW |isbn=0-7318-0237-3 |pages=114}}</ref>
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==Ecology==
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''Ficus rubiginosa'' is also suited for use as an indoor plant in low, medium or brightly-lit indoor spaces, although a variegated form requires brighter light.<ref>{{cite book |title=Australian Native Plants for Indoors |last=Ratcliffe |first=David & Patricia|year=1987 |publisher=Little Hills Press |location=Crows Nest, NSW |isbn=0-949773-49-2 |pages= 90}}</ref>
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It is [[pollination|pollinated]] by a [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationship with a [[wasp]] species (''Pleistodontes imperialis'')  The fertilised female wasp enters the receptive 'fig' (the syconium) through a tiny hole at the crown (the ostiole).  She crawls around the [[inflorescence]]d interior of the fig, pollinating some of the female flowers.  She then lays her eggs inside some of the flowers and dies. After several weeks development in their galls, the male wasps emerge before the females. They chew holes in the galls containing females and fertilise them through the hole they have just chewed. Males return later to mated females, and enlarge the mating holes to enable the females to emerge. Some males then chew their way through the syconium wall, which allows the females to disperse after collecting pollen from the now fully developed male flowers. Females then have a short time (< 48 hours) to find a tree with receptive syconia to successfully reproduce and disperse pollen.
      
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
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It is commonly used as a large [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]] in eastern Australia, in parts of New Zealand, and also in [[Hawaii]] and [[California]] in the [[USA]], where it is also listed as an [[invasive species]] in some areas. Despite the size of the leaves, it is popular for [[bonsai]] work as it is extremely forgiving to work with and hard to kill.
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It is very easily propagated by cuttings.
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==See also==
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===Propagation===
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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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It is easily propagated by cuttings or aerial layering.<ref name="Floyd09"/>
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== References ==
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===Pests and diseases===
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<div class="references-small">
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==Varieties==
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==Gallery==
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<gallery perrow=5>
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File:Port Jackson Fig.jpg| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
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==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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*[http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2003/archives/2003/in_the_garden/gardening_tips,_books,_techniques_and_tools/figs_with_maggots2 Burke's Backyard 2003 - Figs with Maggots] (sic.)
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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* http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_cd/732131822186/084.html
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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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*[http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/sydney_gardens_domain/visitor_information/walks_and_tours/aboriginal_walk#port Uses of Port Jackson Fig to Aboriginal Australians]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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*http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=507896 ITIS 507896
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Port Jackson]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Flora of Australia]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Plants and pollinators]]
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[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
 
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