Roxburgh fig
ExplorePlants
Roxburgh fig
Ficus auriculata
The Roxburgh fig is a large tree with big, heart-shaped leaves. It grows in warm places and produces sweet fruits that many animals love to eat!
Habitat: Tropical forests
Appearance
The Roxburgh fig is a medium to large tree with a broad, spreading canopy and striking, very large heart-shaped leaves. Its unique fruits are reddish-purple, flattened, and grow directly on the trunk and older branches, making them easy to spot.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyMoraceaeGenusFicus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Animals like monkeys, bats, and birds feast on its sweet figs, scattering seeds for new trees.
In some cultures, the Roxburgh fig is considered a sacred tree, linked to ancient stories and traditions.
Its massive, heart-shaped leaves can grow over a foot long, making them truly giant!
What we call a fig is actually a 'syconium,' a fleshy container full of tiny inverted flowers!
Special abilities
Ability
Trunk-Bearing Fruits
Roxburgh fig has a special trick called cauliflory, growing its delicious fruits right on the trunk for easy access by ground-dwelling animals.
Ability
Wasp Whisperer
The Roxburgh fig relies on tiny fig wasps for pollination, offering a safe nursery for their eggs deep inside its unique fruit structures.
Ability
Giant Shade Maker
Its massive leaves create expansive shade, offering a cool refuge for animals and people from intense sun in its tropical habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-2000 cm
- Spread
- 500-1500 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Roxburgh fig wasp
Koebelea fusca
This tiny wasp lays eggs in the fig, ensuring pollination.
eats
Rhesus macaque
Macaca mulatta
Feasts on the sweet figs, helping to spread seeds.
eats
Indian flying fox
Pteropus giganteus
These large bats consume figs and disperse seeds at night.
eats
Rose-ringed parakeet
Psittacula krameri
Parrots often feed on the figs, dispersing seeds.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
Banyan figRoxburgh fig tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always admire trees from a safe distance and don't climb without an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Roxburgh fig?
1000-2000 cm
How wide does Roxburgh fig spread?
500-1500 cm
When does Roxburgh fig bloom?
Year-round
Is Roxburgh fig edible?
Yes
Is Roxburgh fig toxic?
None
What is Roxburgh fig's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Roxburgh fig pollinated?
Insect
Where is Roxburgh fig usually found?
Tropical forests
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