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Ficus palmata - Forssk.

Common Name Wild Fig, Punjab fig
Family Moraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The sap and the half-ripe fruits are said to be poisonous.
Habitats Occasionally found in forests, more commonly around villages, in waste ground, fields etc[194]. Open places, generally along the banks of streams at elevations of 600 - 2700 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Ficus palmata Wild Fig, Punjab fig


Ficus palmata Wild Fig, Punjab fig

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Ficus palmata is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw. Sweet and succulent[2]. A very tasty fruit[194], it is often dried for later use. The fruit is about 2.5cm in diameter and annual yields from wild trees is about 25kg[194]. The fruit contains about 6% sugars, 1.7% protein, 0.9% ash and 0.2% pectin[194]. Low in vitamin C, about 3.3mg per 100g[194]. The unripe fruits and young growth are cooked and eaten as a vegetable[272]. They are boiled, the water is removed by squeezing and they are then fried. a nice green vegetable[194]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

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.
Demulcent  Emollient  Laxative  Poultice  Warts

The fruit is demulcent, emollient, laxative and poultice[194, 240]. It is used as a part of the diet in the treatment of constipation and diseases of the lungs and bladder[240]. The sap is used in the treatment of warts. The latex of the plant is used to take out spines lodged deeply in the flesh[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The pliable wood is of little value but has been used for making hoops, garlands, ornaments etc.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained medium to light loam and some lime rubble incorporated into the soil. A heavy wet soil tends to encourage excessive plant growth at the expense of fruit. Not very hardy in Britain it is best on a south or south-west facing wall in order to provide winter protection and more heat in the summer for ripening the fruit. It would probably succeed in a sheltered position in the open in the milder areas of Britain. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. This species is closely related to the common fig, Ficus carica, and is not perhaps specifically distinct. It has been recommended for growing in areas where the climate is too wet for common figs since it fruits during the monsoon season in the Himalayas. However, it probably requires the fig-wasp in order to pollinate the flowers and so is unlikely to fruit in areas such as Britain that are too cold for the fig-wasp to survive. The fruits are often sold in local markets in the Himalayas[194]. There is a potential for commercial cultivation[194].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for at least their first year. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts and give some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of mature wood 10 - 12cm with a heel, winter in a frame. Fairly easy, but the cuttings must be kept frost free. It is probably best if the cuttings are put in individual pots[78]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

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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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Author

Forssk.

Botanical References

272

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