Ficus platyphylla

Botanical Description

Ficus platyphylla is a tree with a heavily-branched, rather dense, spreading crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. The plant often begins life as an epiphyte, growing in the branch of another tree; as it grows older it sends down aerial roots which, when they reach the ground quickly form roots and become much thicker and more vigorous. They supply nutrients to the fig, allowing it to grow faster than the host tree. The aerial roots gradually encircle the host tree, preventing its main trunk from expanding, whilst at the same time the foliage smothers the foliage of the host. Eventually the host dies, leaving the fig to carry on growing without competition. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use of its latex, which can be used as a base for chewing gum or to make a good quality rubber. The plant also supplies edible fruits, fibre, dyestuff and tannins.