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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Ficus coronata is a TREE growing to 12 m (39ft) by 4 m (13ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
F. muntia (link). F. stephanocarpa (Warb).
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Edible and palatable fruit 2cm in size eaten fresh (remove the furry skin) or dried that is green when unfertilised, and darkening to a purple/black when mature. Fruits ripen from January to June. Use cooked in cakes, pies, biscuits, jellies, jams or sauces. A very sweet fruit said to be the best tasting Australian fig (tuckerbush.com.au).
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
In herbal medicine, the sap is applied to small sores and warts (tooheyforesteec.eq.edu.au).
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hedge Houseplant Sandpaper Soil stabilization
Leaves used as sandpaper. Aboriginal people traditionally used the leaves to smooth and polish weaponry, the bark to make string (tuckerbush.com.au). The fruit is a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the common- or purple moonbeam (Philiris innotatus), the Australasian figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti), green catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris), olive-backed oriole (Oriolus sagittatus), topknot pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus), and grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). Tolerate heavy pruning. good hedge plant. A good canopy shade tree. An excellent bonsai or small indoor potted tree. Ideal for stream bank stabilization.
Special Uses
Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A medium sized tree of up to 15m tall. It has rough, densely hairy branches and leaves. A hardy species, tolerating colder climates, poor soils, and poor light conditions. It does not tolerate frosts very well, particularly when young. Prefers plenty of light, space and moisture, in warmer climates free from frosts. An aggressive root system characteristic of Ficus species can cause issues with plumbing, concrete paths and structural foundations. Grows densely in full sun, less so in shade. Pollinated by co-dependant species of fig wasp. Low maintenance.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Fresh seeds, or cuttings taken from the growing tip of a live plant.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Sandpaper fig, Creek sandpaper fig. Ficus - from the Latin ficus, meaning “edible fruit”. coronata - from the Latin coronatus, meaning “crowned”, referring to the crown of bristles at the tip of the fig
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
East Coast Australia from Mackay in Central Queensland, through New South Wales and just into Victoria near Mallacoota.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : In eastern Victoria, it is listed as "threatened" under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
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