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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|familia=Moraceae
|familia=Moraceae
|genus=Ficus
|genus=Ficus
|species=macrophylla
|species=macrophylla
|common_name=Moreton Bay Fig
|habit=tree
|habit=tree
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|exposure=sun
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|features=evergreen
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=9
|min_zone=9
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|max_zone=11
|max_zone=11
|image=Upload.png
|image=Moretonbayfigfrom1850.JPG
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
}}
}}
'''''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 (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.
| 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.
| origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
The Moreton Bay Fig is an evergreen tree that can reach heights of 60 m (200 ft).<ref name = Starr2003/> The trunk can be massive, with thick, prominent [[buttress]]ing, and reach a diameter of 2.4 m (8 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 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;<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"/>
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.
| 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 -->
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.
{{Inc|
{{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.
[[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.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
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===
===Pests and diseases===
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