Moraceae
Ficus mucuso
- Leaf, upper surface.
- Leaf base, lower surface.
- Petiole base and ring of hairs on stipular scar.
- Leaf base, upper surface.
- Ripe figs.
- Slash.
- Ripe fig cut open.
General Information
The genus Ficus is one of the most important in the area, measured by the number of species present. Each species of Ficus, however, appears to be rare as the individuals of each species are only occasionally encountered in the forest. Most species in this area start their lives as epiphytes in the canopy and then become stranglers, some finally becoming free-standing trees. This species, however, is always a tree. It usually has orange coloured bark and latex which oxidises immediately to orange. The rough leaves have a cordate base. At each node there is a ring of hairs on the scar left by the fallen stipule. The 3–4 cm wide ‘fruits’, which are strictly called ‘figs’, are produced on special branches which may be up to 1 m long and covered in figs.
Ecology
Secondary forest, usually on old fields or at other disturbed sites. Chimpanzees love the fruit of this species and will often come close to villages to feed on the figs.
Distribution
Distribution: Guinea-Bissau to Ethiopia and Tanzania.