Scientific Name: Ficus Coronata
Common Name: Sandpaper Fig
Indigenous Use
The fruit is eaten when ripe. The leaves used for final smoothing of weapons. The latex is used for small sores and warts.
When to Use
The fruit is ripe in late summer to early winter. The leaves and latex can be used all year round.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Ficus coronata, commonly known as the Sandpaper Fig, are rough to the touch, resembling sandpaper. They are simple, alternate, and typically measure between 6-15 cm in length and 4-8 cm in width. The leaves are ovate to elliptical, with a dark green upper surface and a lighter green underside (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Bark: The bark of Ficus coronata is smooth and grey when young, becoming slightly rougher with age. The tree is generally small to medium-sized, reaching heights of up to 15 meters (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Ficus coronata are small and enclosed within a syconium, similar to other figs. The syconia develop in the leaf axils and are key to the plant’s reproductive cycle, involving specific wasp species for pollination (Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Fruit: The fruit of Ficus coronata is a small, globular fig, typically 1-1.5 cm in diameter. The figs are initially green, turning dark purple to black when ripe, usually in late summer to early autumn. The fruits are edible and often eaten by birds and other wildlife, which aid in seed dispersal (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Floridata, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
Australian National Botanic Gardens (2024). Ficus coronata. Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/ficus-coronata [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Plants of the World Online (2024). Ficus coronata. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid
.org:names:853201-1 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Floridata (2024). Ficus coronata. Available at: https://www.floridata.com/Plants/Moraceae/Ficus-coronata/564 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Cribb A.B. and J.W., Wild Food in Australia. Collins, Sydney, 1974
Leiper, Glen, Muteroo: Plant use by Australian Aboriginal People. Eagleby South State School, Brisbane
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.