Ficus_opposita

<i>Ficus opposita</i>

Ficus opposita

Species of fig

Ficus opposita is one of several fig species commonly known as sandpaper figs. It is native to the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.Other common names include sweet sandpaper fig,[1] sweet fig[1] and the ambiguous "figwood" and "watery fig".[2]

Quick Facts Sweet sandpaper fig, Scientific classification ...

It grows as either a shrub or small tree.[1] As the figs ripen, their colour changes from green to yellow to reddish-brown and finally, to black.[1] The fruit is edible and palatable, tastier than most other fig species.[3]

It serves as a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the common- or purple moonbeam (Philiris innotatus).[4]

The leaves on this plant can treat skin infections such as tinea.[citation needed]

Shown to hybridise with Ficus coronulata.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    Low, T. (1991). Wild Food Plants Of Australia. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0-207-16930-6.
  2. [2]
    "Ficus opposita". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  3. [3]
    Lindsay, Lenore (March 1992). "Fancy a feast? Try a fig". Australian Plants. 16 (130): 251–52.
  4. [4]
    Braby, Michael F. (2005). The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. p. 228. ISBN 0-643-09027-4.
  5. [5]
    Wilde, Brendan C.; Rutherford, Susan; Merwe, Marlien van der; Murray, Megan L.; Rossetto, Maurizio (15 July 2020). "First example of hybridisation between two Australian figs (Moraceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 33 (5): 436–445. doi:10.1071/SB19048. ISSN 1446-5701.


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