Ficus salicifolia
| Ficus salicifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| In Pretoria, South Africa | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Species: | F. salicifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus salicifolia | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Wonderboom (Ficus salicifolia) is an evergreen fig species that ranges from the KwaZulu-Natal midlands northwards to tropical East Africa.[1] It grows especially on outcrops, rocky hillsides and along cliffs fringing water courses and may rarely[2] grow up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, and acquire a leafy spreading crown.[1]
Description
[edit]The elliptic-oblong, leathery leaves of about 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) long, are carried on long petioles, and are often noticeably folded along the midrib. The leaf sides are almost parallel and clear net-veining is visible on the lamina.[2] Leaves are brittle and have a characteristic smell when broken or bruised. The leaves are toxic and cause nervous disorders or even deaths in cattle.[3]
The small, smooth figs are carried on short stalks and measure about 4–6 mm (5⁄32–1⁄4 in) in diameter. They are massed along the branchlets in the leaf axils,[2] and change from white to yellowish-red and spotted as they ripen.[1] The figs are eaten by birds and mammals.[3]
Similar species
[edit]It may be confused with the similar but deciduous Ficus ingens which grows in similar habitat. The latter has somewhat larger, white to purple figs, and deep red fresh foliage.[1] The Wonderboom fig is sometimes deemed a race of Ficus cordata,[4] i.e. F. c. subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C.Berg, though the latter species has yellowish sessile figs and a more westerly distribution.
Distribution and habitat
[edit]
It occurs in the Saharo-montane woodlands of the Tassili n'Ajjer, the Hoggar, Aïr and Tibesti mountains, the Kerkour Nourene massif and at Elba mountain in the Red Sea Hills.[5] It is widespread in the eastern Afrotropics, from southern Arabia and Socotra to the KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa.[6][7]
The Wonderboom grove
[edit]The species is named after the Wonderboom grove in Pretoria, that has spread from a central bole that was carbon dated to about 1,000 years old.[1][2] The Wonderboom is an extraordinary specimen for its size and structure, and its drooping branches are continuing to root and form new trees.[2] Their branches reach about 23 metres (75 ft) into the sky, and one of the boles has a girth of 5.5 metres (18 ft).[8]
Ecology
[edit]The pollinator wasp is Platyscapa awekei Wiebes., while non-pollinating wasps include Otitesella serrata Mayr and Otitesella pseudoserrata van Noort.[7]
Gallery
[edit]-
Diagnostic rounded leaf base, regular lateral venation and unbranched, curved basal pair -
The figs on short stalks -
The Wonderboom grove near Pretoria
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Palmer, Eve (1977). A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. London, Johannesburg: Collins. pp. 91–93. ISBN 0-620-05468-9.
- ^ a b c d e Palgrave, K.C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0-86977-081-0.
- ^ a b Van Wyk, Braam; et al. (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 78. ISBN 1-86825-922-6.
- ^ "Ficus salicifolia Vahl". ThePlantList. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Ficus cordata subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C. Berg". African Plant Database. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques & South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ "Records: Ficus salicifolia Vahl". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ^ a b van Noort, S., Rasplus, J. "Ficus salicifolia Vahl 1790". Figweb. iziko museums. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Tim. "Wonderboom figs (Ficus salicifolia) in South Africa". Monumental Trees. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
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