FICUS GNAPHALOCARPA A. Rich.—Baure. MORACEAE.
A very large fig tree, common throughout the country, but not in dry localities. It demands a moist site, preferably on the banks of a stream or in a fairly well watered locality. Though giving a deep shade it is not, like the “chediya” and “durumi” planted in towns for that purpose. It occurs in gregarious clumps, self sown and the seed is distributed by birds or goats and sheep which are very partial to the figs. It grows to very large dimensions, 50 feet in height with girths of 10-20 feet. There are two common forms: the high-crowned with long bole, erect branches and rather narrow, flat-topped crown, and the heavy-crowned, short-boled tree with low, widely-spreading limbs and immense crown. This is probably, like many other trees, merely a question of age and surroundings. Flanges a foot or two high and the roots running above ground for several feet are common features. The tree puts on its new foliage very quickly and this is a brilliant dark green colour.
The Bark of young trees is a light green colour with a soft, powdery covering. That of older trees is very distinctive, grey-green, fairly smooth with grey scales here and there about the bole and light brown patches where these have fallen. The trunk presents a mottled appearance most of the year, and green, grey, light and dark brown and bluish tints are intermingled. The slash is pale pink with a flow of milky sap.
The Leaves are 4-5 inches long and 3-3½ inches broad, cordate at the base with irregular margins. They are dark green on both sides with the veins very clearly visible in lighter colour and all prominent on the underneath. Both surfaces are rough to the touch, this being the most distinguishing characteristic of the species. There is a ½-¾ inch stalk.
The Figs are borne directly behind the leaves in short clusters any time from December to March and there is a heavy crop. They are about 1½ inches long and 1¼ wide, bluntly pear-shaped with ¾-1 inch stalks. When ripe they are various shades of red and orange to almost purple, rarely uniformly coloured throughout, and covered densely with short straight hairs like plush. They are much eaten by the natives, especially by children and are certainly the best eating though much spoilt by the fertilising fly. Sheep and goats relish them.
FICUS ITEOPHYLLA Miq.—Shiriya, Shirinya. MORACEAE.
A very well known species of fig tree distinguished by its long narrow leaves and long clusters of small figs. It grows to great sizes, over 40 feet high and with girths of 15 feet. It varies considerably in form from a tall narrow tree to one with enormous flat-topped crown 75 feet in diameter. The foliage is superficial and the shade is not very good. The bole is short, gnarled or compound, and there are many roots trailing over the ground for several feet from the base of the tree in old examples. The branches of younger trees are very erect and it is only in old age that the large spreading form is assumed. It often starts life as a parasite, the seeds being carried by birds to a crevice in another tree which it gradually surrounds and smothers. It is not unlike F. Kawuri, whose leaves are, however, slightly broader and whose figs are hairy and reddish.