''Ficus opposita'' is one of several

fig The fig is the edible fruit of ''Ficus carica'', a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Moraceae. Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, it has been cultivated since ancient times and is now widely grown throughout the world ...

species commonly known as

sandpaper fig The sandpaper figs are so named for their leaves, which are rough and sandpaper-like in texture. The common name may refer to a number of species in the genus ''Ficus'': Australian species: *'' Ficus carpentariensis'', possibly hybrid individuals * ...

s. It is native to the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...

and

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

.Other common names include sweet sandpaper fig, sweet fig and the ambiguous "figwood" and "watery fig". It grows as either a shrub or small tree. As the figs ripen, their colour changes from green to yellow to reddish-brown and finally, to black. The fruit is edible and palatable, tastier than most other fig species. It serves as a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the common- or purple moonbeam (''

Philiris innotatus ''Philiris'' is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Australasian realm (New Guinea, Bismarck Islands, Molucca Islands and eastern Australia). ''Philiris'' was erected by Julius Röber in 189 ...

''). The leaves on this plant can treat skin infections such as tinea. Shown to hybridise with ''Ficus coronulata''.

References

opposita Rosales of Australia Trees of Australia Flora of the Northern Territory Flora of Queensland Drought-tolerant trees {{rosid-tree-stub