Ficus abutilifolia, the large-leaved rock fig,[1] is a species of African rock-splitting[3] fig that occurs in two disjunct regions, one population north, and another south of the equator. The two populations are pollinated by different fig wasps, and are morphologically distinct.[4] It is named for the similarity of its broadly ovate leaves to that of Abutilon.[3] It is virtually restricted to cliff faces and rock outcrops, and is easily recognized from its large, glabrous leaves and smooth, pale bark.
| Large-leaved rock fig | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F. subg. Urostigma |
| Species: | F. abutilifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Species associations
Nigeriella fusciceps Wiebes is the pollinating wasp for the northern population, and Elisabethiella comptoni Wiebes pollinates the southern population.[3][4] Philocaenus rotundus is an associated but non-pollinating wasp.[4]
Gallery
Foliage of a southern specimen
Foliage of a northern specimen
Fig arrangement
Bark texture
Roots on granite, Kruger National Park
Branches and roots, Magaliesberg
_roots_(16025195933).jpg)
References
External links
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Ficus abutilifolia". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
Media related to Ficus abutilifolia at Wikimedia Commons