Moraceae FAMILY

Ficus americana

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Ficus americana is an evergreen plant; it can vary in habit from a large-crowned epiphytic shrub growing up to 6 metres tall on the branch of a tree, to a tree with a dense, spreading crown up to 15 metres tall growing in the soil. The bole can be 30cm in diameter[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. , 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to southern Mexico; throughout the Caribbean.

HabitatWater courses, savannah margins, in ridge, rain and mountain savannah, and montane forests, especially in swampy places[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ].