75
Ficus
racemosa L.
Synonym : Ficus glomerata Roxb.
Family
: Moraceae
Local Names
: Atthi, Cluster Fig
Distribution: Indo-Malaysia to Australia
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, also in
the plains
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: No
Uses: latex used in the
production of water-resistant paper and as plasticizer for Hevea rubber. The
wood is used as a fuel. Sacred Indian plant, Ayurvedic, fruits edible, mosquito
repellent
Key
Characters:
Deciduous trees, to 30 m high; bole
buttressed; bark surface reddish-brown smooth. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate,
margin entire. Flowers unisexual; inflorescence a syconia; flowers of
unisexual, 4 kinds; male flowers near the mouth of receptacles, in 2-3 rings;
tepals 3-4, red; stamens 2; female flowers sessile; tepals 3-4, red, ovary
superior; ovary dark red, rough; style short. Syconium, orange, pink or dark
crimson.
