Roxburgh fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Roxburgh fig
• Elephant ear fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ficus pomifera
• Ficus oligodon
• Ficus beipeiensis
• Ficus imperialis
• Ficus hainanensis
• Ficus sclerocarpa
• Ficus roxburghii
• Ficus rotundifolia
• Ficus regia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ficus auriculata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Moraceae and falls under the genus Ficus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central areas as well as the Southeast provinces. It can also be found in the tropical landscape of Hainan and the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Moving beyond China, the species extends into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the Assam region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus auriculata is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution across its native habitats, where it thrives within a distinct vertical range. The species is most commonly found at a mean elevation of 400 m AMSL, though its environmental tolerance allows it to occupy diverse topographical niches. Its distribution extends from a lower limit of 300 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity to adapt to varying montane and sub-montane climatic conditions throughout this elevational gradient.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ficus auriculata is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring long-term survival within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that allows it to maintain a significant stature. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing periodic leaf shedding which influences its seasonal phenology and resource management. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, phanerophyte life form, and deciduous habit dictates its growth patterns and its ability to persist across varying environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus auriculata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. This terrestrial species typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 12 m, with a recorded mean plant height of approximately 10.83 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and maintains a strictly terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic or aquatic lifestyle. The plant's robust, woody constitution supports its stature, allowing it to stand firmly without the need for climbing or liana-like tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

10.8333333333333 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus auriculata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants in its ecological niche. Its foliar architecture is defined by deltoid leaf forms with finely toothed margins and is entirely devoid of leaf thorns or spines. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, maintaining a mean length of 17.25 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 23 cm, resulting in a mean width of 10.75 cm. The Specific Leaf Area (SLA) is recorded at a consistent value of 217.5836431 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's leaf mass per unit area. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-based nitrogen uptake for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf form :

deltoid

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.25 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

23 cm

Leaf width mean:

10.75 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

217.5836431 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus auriculata is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering period for this species typically begins in April and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable across different environmental conditions. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this plant, necessitating external agents for successful reproductive cycles. The resulting fruits are fleshy in nature, containing seeds with a consistent mean mass of 0.00611 g and a uniform seed volume of 5.9 mm³.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00611 g

Seed volume max:

5.9 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ficus auriculata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, fruit, root.

Stem

1. Natural product research
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Fruit

1. Natural product research

Root

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Ficus auriculata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (3R,4R)-4-Hydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin.

(3R,4R)-4-Hydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Activities

Ficus auriculata has 1 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ficus auriculata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include intrahepatic cholestasis.

Intrahepatic cholestasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ficus auriculata has 4 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% ethanolic extract, EtOAc extract, chloroform extract, petroleum ether extract.

70% ethanolic extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Etoac extract

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Chloroform extract

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Petroleum ether extract

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters