Ficus virens var. sublanceolata

Ficus virens var. sublanceolata is a banyan or strangler fig. It grows alongside the related white fig in the northern part of its range. They differ with narrower leaves, almost lanceolate in shape. Common names in Australia include white fig, sour fig, deciduous fig and banyan. A large example can be seen north of Murwillumbah beside the old Pacific Highway,[1] not far from the state border with Queensland.

Ficus virens var. sublanceolata
Sub-lanceolate leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species:
F. virens
Variety:
F. v. var. sublanceolata
Trinomial name
Ficus virens var. sublanceolata
Synonyms

Habitat and range

It grows as far south as the Clarence River, New South Wales,[2] and up through Queensland, Torres Strait, Northern Territory, Western Australia and parts of South East Asia. It is often seen on alluvial soil in riverine rainforest.

Description

It is a large tree in excess of 30 metres tall, with a trunk diameter exceeding 1.8 metres. It can be semideciduous. Heavily buttressed at the base. The bark is smooth and grey with various bumps and lenticels on the trunk. Small branches smooth, but with scars of leaf stipules. Leaves form with the stipules, and they are shed when the leaf develops.[3]

Leaves

Alternate on the stem, 5 to 20 cm long, 2.5 to 6 cm wide.[2] Ovate lanceolate in shape, which contrasts to the broader leaves of the white fig. Leaves thin, shiny green above, duller paler green below. Leaves with a short but noticeable tip, often curling to one side. Leaf base somewhat rounded. Leaf stalks narrow and long, 2 to 5 cm in length.

Venation

Leaf veins prominent, raised and evident on both sides of the leaf. Net veins attractive in pattern and shape near the leaf edge. 8 to 10 lateral veins, creamy green at around 60 degrees to the mid vein.[3]

Reproduction

Flowers form within a receptacle, a syconium. Flowers pollinated by fig wasps within the fig. The mature fig changes to a white, pinkish or brown colour with red spots, 10 mm in diameter, almost stalkless on the stem.[2] Fruit ripe in Australia mostly June to August, or at all times during the year.

The figs eaten by a large variety of birds including Australasian figbird, green catbird, Lewin's honeyeater, topknot pigeon and pied currawong. Regeneration is achieved from fresh seed and cuttings. The marcotting technique of propagation is suited to Ficus virens var. sublanceolata.[3]

Uses

Suited to parks and large gardens as an ornamental tree. Often seen planted in Australian parks and botanic gardens. The timber is of no commercial use.[3]

References
  1. http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/PlanningDocs/pdfs/tpo/tpo1990SignificantTrees.htm
  2. "Ficus virens var. sublanceolata". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
  3. Floyd, A. G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 2008, ISBN 978-0-9589436-7-3 page 234
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