Ficus sycomorus (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
| Ficus sycomorus (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Ficus sycomorus Moraceae Indigenous
Common names
- English: Sycamore fig, Faroh’s tree
- Agewgna: Emwi
- Amargna: Bamba, Shola
- Borenagna: Oda
- Haderigna: Odoo
- Oromugna: Akuku, Hagile, Harbu, Huda farda, Lugo, Oda
- Somaligna: Dare, Dure, Mokko, Mukoy
- Tigrigna: Sagla, Shegla
- Wolaytgna: Wola
Ecology
Occurs from the Middle East west to Cape Verde Islands and south to South Africa, Namibia and the Comoro Islands. Found in Ethiopia along rivers and lake margins, in woodlands and wooded grasslands, evergreen bushlands, forest edges and forest clearings in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega agroclimatic zones in most regions, 500–2,000 m.
Uses
Firewood, carvings, beehives, food (fruit), medicine (latex), shade, ornamental, mulch, soil conservation, soil improvement.
Description
A large semi-deciduous spreading tree to 25 m, sometimes with stem buttresses and the base commonly spreading over the ground.
- BARK: Distinctive yellow to cream‑brown, smooth.
- LEAVES: Oval to almost circular, to 15 cm, upper surface rough to touch, margin wavy, roughly toothed, base heart shaped, a hairy stalk to 3 cm.
- FRUIT: In leaf axils or in dense clusters on main branches and trunk, each rounded, usually to 2.5 cm long, wider at the tip, yellow-red when ripe, edible.
Propagation
Cuttings strike readily.
Seed
Not used.
Management
Fairly fast growing. Pruning, lopping to reduce shade.
Remarks
A sacred tree for various communities. Figs are eaten by livestock, birds and wild animals. They can also be dried and have a good flavour and high food value. The tree grows well with crops if shade is controlled. The wood is pale and easy to work.
