Ficus Pumila Var. Awkeotsang

''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'', also known as the jelly fig, aiyu, or ai-yu, is a variety of '' Ficus pumila'', and a member of the fig family Moraceae, native to Taiwan. The plant is known for its use in making aiyu jelly.

Etymology

The words "Awkeotsang" () and "Aiyu" () are the Taiwanese Hokkien and Mandarin Chinese forms of the name of the daughter of the individual who discovered the plant's gel-forming properties in 1921.

Biogeography

''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' is the first fig genus presented in Taiwan by Japanese botanist Tomitaro Makino. Later, English botanist E.J.H. Corner classified ''awkeotsang'' as a variation of '' Ficus pumila.'' There is another variety of '' Ficus pumila'': ''Ficus pumila'' var. ''pumila'', also known as creeping fig, is widespread across East Asia.

The fig often grows near a betel nut palm tree with a tall trunk, which fig uses as a support to climb.

''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' is endemic to Taiwan, and has introduced to southern China by humans because of its agricultural importance. After imported to China, ''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' pollinators have shifted host to ''Ficus pumila'' L. var. ''pumila''.

There are differences between ''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' and ''Ficus pumila'' L. var. ''pumila'', including leaf shape, syconia size, phenology, and habitat preference. ''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' prefers altitudes from 1200 to 1900 meters, while ''Ficus pumila'' L. var. ''pumila'' prefers lowlands.Hsieh, C.F., T.C. Huang, Z.Y. Li, H.C. Lo, H. Ohashi, C.F. Shen, J.C. Wang, and K.C. Yang. 1993. Flora of Taiwan, vol. 2. 2nd ed. 171–174. Editorial Committee, Dept. Bot., NTU, Taipei, Taiwan.

Pollination

The relationship of fig and fig wasp is a classic example of obligate mutualism and coevolution. Only pollinating wasps pollinate the figs, while fig wasps only lay their eggs inside the fig ovules.Kjellberg F, Jousselin E, Hossaert-McKey M, Rasplus J-Y (2005) Biology, ecology, and evolution of fig-pollinating wasps (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae). In: Raman A, Schaefer W, Withers TM (eds) Biology, ecology and evolution of gall-inducing arthropods. Science Publishers, Inc., Enfield (NH) USA, Plymouth (UK), pp 539–572

''Ficus pumila'' is a dioecious species. Male ''Ficus pumila'' trees have both male florets and short-styled female florets, which is for feeding the larvae. Female ''Ficus pumila'' trees have long-styled female florets, but they are not for pollinator oviposition. A male ''Ficus pumila'' produces pollen, feeds and protects fig wasps larvae, while a female produces seeds.

During oviposition, the larvae feed and mature with gall tissue, fig seeds and fig pollen grains.

When female wasps is mature, they leave their original figs and carry pollen to other fig trees.

Pollen grains stick to wasp bodies and fertilise ovules when they enter figs.

Use

The main use of this plant is its fruit seed, which is harvested to make aiyu jelly in Taiwan (known as ''ice jelly'' in Singapore). The jelly, when combined with sweeteners and lemon or lime juice is a favorite snack in Taiwanese night markets, Taiwanese farmers' markets and Singapore hawker centres.

''Ficus pumila'' var. ''awkeotsang'' seeds contain pectin, a viscous gelation material. Stirring and extracting the dried seeds with water for 15-20 minutes at room temperature, can obtain the gel easily.河邊, 誠一郎, 河邊, 要太郎, 宇佐美, 昭次 (1984). 愛玉子によるパパインの固定化: 天然物担体利用による酵素の固定化 (第 3 報). ''岡山理科大学紀要. A, 自然科学'', ''20'', 43-48. It is noteworthy that Aiyu jelly does not require high temperature to form gel, which is different from other gel-forming material.

Aiyu jelly is beneficial for health too. It is able to retard blood glucose release, which can be used as natural blood glucose-controlling components.

Gallery

File:紫玉蘭-辛夷 Magnolia liliiflora 20220126155838 05.jpg, Jelly fig on a tree
File:Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang (creeping fig).jpg, Jelly figs, whole and cut
File:F pumila.jpg, Dried Jelly fig fruit, turned inside out to show the seeds

See also

* Aiyu jelly
* O-aew
*'' Wiebesia pumilae''

References

pumila var. awkeotsang
Endemic flora of Taiwan

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