Ficus macrophylla

Botanical Description

Ficus macrophylla is an evergreen tree with a wide spreading crown; it can grow over 60 metres tall in its native environment[ 423 Title Desert Tropicals Publication Author Website http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation. ]. The strongly buttressed bole can be up to 240cm in diameter[ 286 Title Flora of Australia Publication Author Website http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource. , 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. Although some seedlings germinate in the ground and grow into large trees, this species normally starts life in the forest as an epiphyte growing on the branch of another tree. As it grows larger, it sends down aerial roots which root into the ground below, providing the plant with extra nutriment and allowing it to out-compete the host tree, eventually smothering it[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ]. The trees gradually reach large proportions, with immense buttresses, trunks up to 8 metres or more in circumference, and branches both high and spreading[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ]. Aerial roots (if produced) grow mainly from large, framework branches near the ground, and these may produce a few extra trunks or props[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ]. The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of latex and fibre. It is often grown as an ornamental[ 286 Title Flora of Australia Publication Author Website http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource. ].