Fig tree

The fig trees ( Ficus ) are a group of especially tropical plants of Moracée S in which one finds Arbre S, Arbuste S or liana S. One knows of them more 1  000 S. the European species whose fruits are consumed is the common Figuier ( Ficus carica ).

General characters of the kind

The Ficus are a whole of species whose morphological characters vary enormously: there exist large trees as Ficus racemosa which can reach 40 meters and Ficus buissonnants like Ficus menabeensis . The morphological variability of the Ficus is impressive. All these species produce fruits called figs.

These plants produce all of the latex, and some ficus are used for the production of rubber it was the case of Ficus elastica which is today a tree cultivated in several areas of the world, without however equalizing the output of the Hévéa ( Hevea brasiliensis ), which is Euphorbiacée S.

The flowers of the fig trees (which they are male or female) are very small and are located inside a hollow receptacle, more or less closed which one calls fig or sycone.

The monocarpic ovary (which contains only one seed) produced a Akène which is built-in the receptacle.

Their surface of origin is the tropical and subtropical zone.

Botanical characteristics

The fig tree has astonishing botanical characteristics:

  • Certaines species has trees male and female, others are trees Hermaphrodite S.
  • Her flowers develop inside the young people Fruit S; the Inflorescence of the fig tree is a Sycone.
  • At the species of Ficus where the male and female seedlings are distinct (Diécie), the pollination and the fecundation of the female flowers is ensured by a tiny wasp, a Agaonidae. These two species, the fig tree and the pollinating one, are completely dependant one on the other to reproduce. One can speak about mutualism between these two species. It is about a case of Coévolution astonishing and clearly established.

List species

Principal species

  • the common Fig tree, Ficus carica , gives edible Fruit S called Figue S. Cultivé since millenia, it is one of the emblems of the basin the Mediterranean N.

  • the Caprifiguier is the wild form of the Ficus carica ,

  • the Fig tree of Banyans (or banyan), Ficus benghalensis , originating in the South-East Asia , is a bulky tree with the air roots replongeant in the ground by forming secondary trunks. It is a tree crowned for the Hindouiste S.

  • the Fig tree of the pagodas, Ficus religiosa , is a small Asian tree. It is the crowned fig tree of the Bouddhiste S under which Bouddha sat down to meditate.

  • the Fig tree sycamore, Ficus sycomorus , large tropical tree with fruits in bunches.

  • the rubber, Ficus elastica , is a large tree of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is more known like house plant. Its pollinating would have disappeared.

    • Ficus "amstel king"

    • Ficus "Danielle"
    • Ficus "of gantel" (shandy)

List scientific names

  • Ficus altissima Blume
  • Ficus americana Aubl. - Fig tree small sheets
  • Ficus aurea Nutt.
  • Ficus benghalensis L. -- Indian Banyan
  • Ficus benjamina L.
  • Ficus broadwayi Urban
  • Ficus carica L. -- common Fig tree
  • Ficus citrifolia P. Mill. -- wild Banyan or cursed Fig tree
  • Ficus deltoidea
  • Ficus drupacea Thunb.
  • Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem.
  • Ficus godeffroyi Warb.
  • Ficus grenadensis Warb.
  • Ficus hartii
  • Ficus insipida - white Fig tree
  • Ficus lyrata Warb.
  • Ficus macbrideii
  • Ficus microcarpum L.
  • Ficus nymphaeifolia - Fig tree large sheets
  • Ficus foot-note (Blanco) Merrill
  • Ficus obtusifolia Kunth
  • Ficus palmata Forsk.
  • Ficus parkinsonii
  • Ficus prolixa Forst. F.
  • Ficus pumila L.
  • Ficus racemosa L.
  • Ficus religiosa L.
  • Ficus retusa
  • Ficus rubiginosa Desf.
  • Ficus stahlii Warb.
  • Ficus sycomorus L.
  • Ficus thonningii Blume -- Chinese Banyan
  • Ficus tinctoria Forst. F.
  • Ficus tobagensis Urban
  • Ficus triangularis
  • Ficus trigonata L.
  • Ficus ulmifolia Lam.
  • Ficus vogelii (Miq.) Miq.

Illustrations

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