Ficus salicifolia

Ficus salicifolia
In Pretoria, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this 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
  • F. pretoriae Burtt Davy
  • Ficus cordata subsp. salicifolia

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 tall, and acquire a leafy spreading crown.[1]

Description

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The elliptic-oblong, leathery leaves of about 7 to 10 cm 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 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

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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

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Trees of the Wonderboom grove

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

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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 into the sky, and one of the boles has a girth of 5½ metres.[8]

Ecology

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The pollinator wasp is Platyscapa awekei Wiebes., while non-pollinating wasps include Otitesella serrata Mayr and O. pseudoserrata van Noort.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b c d e Palgrave, K.C. (1984). Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0-86977-081-0.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Ficus salicifolia Vahl". ThePlantList. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Ficus cordata subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C. Berg". African Plant Database. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques & South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Records: Ficus salicifolia Vahl". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  7. ^ 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)
  8. ^ Tim. "Wonderboom figs (Ficus salicifolia) in South Africa". Monumental Trees. Retrieved 14 November 2019.

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