Moraceae - Mulberry family
SA Tree no 63
The rock fig is widespread in the Lowveld, growing on rock faces where there is good drainage. The roots, which grow deep into the crevices in search of water and nutrients, may on occasion split the rock. It is a shrub to small tree with a height of up to 8 m, and sparse density.
It has a gnarled, yellow-white, smooth trunk that is often twisted, with smooth, papery bark, whitish-or yellowish grey in colour, that peels off. Conspicuous white roots are visible, spreading over the rock face. The leaves are smooth, heart-shaped and large with prominent veins.
Links with animals - Baboon, monkey,bushbuck, duiker, nyala and bushpig eat the fruit.
Human uses - The tasty fruit is a valued food.
Gardening - This tree can be used very effectively in a rocky garden. While not being frost-resistant, it is drought-resistant. It can be grown from cuttings and although it is a slow growing tree, it responds well to watering in well-drained soil.
Leaves - Simple, spiral, heart-shaped, with a smooth margin that may have wavy. The smooth leaves are packed tightly around the ends of twigs. Leaf veins are prominent, being red-brown in young leaves, and yellow in older leaves. Both dark and light leaves are present at the same time. They are apex rounded, finally abruptly and shortly attenuate; base deeply lobed. margin entire; petiole up to 140 mm long (150 - 200 mm)
Flowers - These are invisible as the are borne inside the fig, which is characteristic of all figs.
Fruit - Large figs grow directly from the trunk, in the axils of the leaves. Green mottled white, with the apical pore somewhat raised. They ripen to red during February and March. (15 - 25 mm)
Gardening - This is not really a garden tree, but it is evergreen and will grow in clay soils. It is not frost- resistant. but is fairly drought-resistant. It is unknown whether it can be grown from seed, and is slow growing.
Leaves - Simple, opposite, elliptic to round, with a smooth margin. These slender leaves are thick, fleshy, rather succulent, greyish-green or bluish-green, and covered with fine, soft blue-grey hairs. (45 x 10 mm) Apex rounded, finally sharp-tipped; base narrowly tapering, running into the very short petiole; margin entire; petiole barely 1 mm long.
Flowers - Sprays of inconspicuous, small, yellow-green flowers in loose terminal or axillary heads, 20 - 50 mm long, are borne towards the ends of branches and at the base of the upper leaves in August and September. (2 mm)
Fruit - Round to oval, berry-like, pale green to purplish with a white bloom when mature; the dry calyx and petals persist at the base. Fruit is often prolific. The fruits are covered with fine hair, and ripen during November and December. (5 - 10 mm)
Best places to see the Large-leaved Rock Fig in Southern Africa:
The Large-leaved Rock Fig is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Thorn Veld, Lebombo Mountain Bushveld, Olifants Rugged Veld & Mopane / Bushwillow Woodlands ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
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The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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