Common yellow-stem fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common yellow-stem fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosaleles, specifically within the family Moraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ficus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, it is commonly found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. Its presence extends further east to the island of Taiwan within the Eastern Asia region. Additionally, the species can be located within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the area of Assam. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus fistulosa is strictly defined by a specialized altitudinal niche, as it is found within a precise elevational range. This species is geographically constrained to a specific belt located at 900 m AMSL, representing both its minimum and maximum elevational limits. This narrow altitudinal distribution suggests that the plant is highly adapted to the specific climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels found at this exact level above mean sea level, making it a specialist within its particular montane or sub-montane ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ficus fistulosa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial parts of the plant, typically maintained on woody branches that elevate the foliage above the ground level. This plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its lush, green foliage throughout the year without undergoing a seasonal shedding of leaves, providing a constant canopy for photosynthesis. Its growth strategy as a phanerophyte ensures structural stability and longevity, enabling it to thrive within its specific environmental niche over an extended lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus fistulosa is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily developing as a self-supporting tree. It reaches a substantial stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 12 m and the potential to reach a maximum height of 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its life cycle. The plant is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with other flora. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature and its ability to remain self-supporting without the need for climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus fistulosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among many woody tropical species. Its foliar morphology displays significant variation, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, maintaining a mean length of 17.7 cm. The width of the leaves also fluctuates, spanning from 4 cm to 7 cm, with an average width of 6.6 cm recorded. Structurally, the leaves are relatively delicate, possessing a mean thickness of approximately 0.018 mm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic atmospheric nitrogen fixation to support its physiological processes.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.7 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.018 mm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

6.6 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus fistulosa is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects. The plant does not practice self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, necessitating external agents for successful sexual reproduction. Following pollination, the development of fleshy fruits facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, where animals aid in the spreading of seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small and uniform in their physical properties; they possess a mean seed mass of 3e-04 g (with both minimum and maximum values recorded at this same weight), a mean seed length of 1.5 mm, and a maximum seed height of 0.3 mm. Furthermore, the seed dimensions include a maximum width of 0.8 mm and a consistent seed volume of 0.11 mm³, which is observed as both the minimum and mean volume.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed height max:

0.3 mm

Seed length mean:

1.5 mm

Seed mass mean:

3e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.11 mm³

Seed width max:

0.8 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ficus fistulosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
2. Virology journal

Chemicals

Ficus fistulosa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzyl alcohol, 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisocarbostyril, Aurantiamide acetate, INDOLE-3-CARBOXALDEHYDE, Verrucarin L acetate.

3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzyl alcohol

1. Planta medica

3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisocarbostyril

1. Planta medica

Aurantiamide acetate

1. Planta medica

INDOLE-3-CARBOXALDEHYDE

1. Planta medica

Verrucarin L acetate

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Ficus fistulosa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV, Plasmodium falciparum, hepatitis C virus.

Hiv

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Planta medica

Hepatitis c virus

1. Virology journal