| DESCRIPTION: It is a small- to medium-sized tree, 5-10 m tall, or it may become a large tree reaching 24 m and 2 m in girth. Branches widely spreading, more or less horizontal, often supported by stilt roots. Bark yellow, grey or green-grey, smooth to slightly rough with a few flaking pieces. Leaves broadly ovate to oblong, 5-20 x 7-15 cm, green or greyish-green. Figs small, less than 10-14 mm in diameter, in pairs in the leaf axils and often clustered at the ends of branches among the leaves, globose, paired, glabrous or with fine silky hairs, green turning red, sweet and succulent; stalkless or shortly stalked. USE: The figs are edible. The wood is used as firewood and charcoal. In Sudan, cloth and tannin is made from the bark. Lines of the tree can be planted as a windbreak. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: African rock fig. FURTHER INF: It occurs on rocky outcrops, where it splits rocks; along dry watercourses or in open country; frequently in valleys, where it reaches its greatest size. The species also occurs in fringe forest in savannah areas, especially in swampy ground, and in swamp forest in coastal areas. Originally collected in Ethiopia, it occurs in many parts of tropical Africa and is typically found in dry country in wooded grassland and bush. In Uganda, it is found in dry localities, usually among rocks. In swampy ground, the numerous aerial roots develop into stilt roots. |
