''Ficus auriculata'', the Roxburgh fig, is a type of fig tree, native to Asia, noted for its big and round leaves.

Description

This plant is a small tree of high with numerous bristle-covered branches. The leaves are big and round, and are up to long and wide, with cordate or rounded base, acute apex, and 5–7 main veins from the leaf base. Its petioles are up to long, and it has stipules of about long. The plant has oblate syconium that are up to wide, covered with yellow pubescence, and emerge from the trunk or old branches of the tree. ''Ficus auriculata'' is dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate individuals. It grows in forests in moist valleys. ''Ceratosolen, Ceratosolen emarginatus'' is the insect that helps to pollinate this plant.

Uses

The fresh fruit of this plant is consumed as food, and has diuretic, laxative and digestive regulating properties. ''Ficus auriculata'' is used as fodder in Nepal. It is least resistant to fire, but likes good sunlight.

Photo gallery

File:Fig_Fruits,_അത്തിപ്പഴം.JPG, Fruit emerging from trunk and branches File:Fig_Leaves,_അത്തിയില.JPG, Leaf of elephant ear fig File:Ficus auriculata 04.jpg, Fruit File:Ficus auriculata leaf.jpg, Leaf File:Ficus auriculata fruit 2.jpg, Fruit File:Ficus auriculata seeds, by Omar Hoftun.jpg, Seeds

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q4959177 Ficus, auriculata Flora of the Indian subcontinent Flora of Indo-China Flora of China Dioecious plants Taxa named by João de Loureiro