Opposite-leaved Fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hairy fig
• river fig
• rough-leaf fig
• soft fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Covellia hispida
• Gonosuke hispida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosalales, specifically residing in the family Moraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ficus as the species Ficus hispidas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to grow in Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight its significant range across both Chinese and South Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus hispida is characterized by its ability to thrive within a specific altitudinal gradient, typically occupying habitats ranging from an elevation of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. This species is often found in tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, where it plays a vital role in the local biodiversity by providing food resources and nesting sites for various fauna. Its distribution is closely tied to moisture availability and soil composition within these elevational zones, often appearing in disturbed forest areas, riverine habitats, or as an epiphyte on larger host trees. The plant's presence is an indicator of specific microclimatic conditions that support its growth cycle, ranging from its developmental stages in lower elevations to its upper limits in more montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ficus hispida is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically categorized under the life forms of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte depending on its developmental stage and specific growth habit. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing a constant canopy that supports its continuous physiological processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus hispida is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. This self-supporting plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 18 meters, typically reaching an average height of approximately 6 meters. As a woody, self-supporting tree, it possesses a robust structural framework that allows it to thrive in terrestrial environments without the need for climbing mechanisms like vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus hispida is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its leaf morphology, where leaf lengths typically range from a minimum of 10 cm to an average of 17.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 25 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width exhibits significant variation, with a minimum measurement of 5 cm, a mean width of 7.5 cm, and a maximum width of 10 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil nitrogen availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus hispida is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy that is distinctly dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The pollination process is primarily biotic, relying heavily on an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate the transfer of pollen between plants. The dispersal of its offspring follows a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a crucial role in transporting the seeds to new locations. These seeds are notably minute, maintaining a highly consistent seed mass with a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.00025 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass mean:

0.00025 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ficus hispida has 2 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 fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. PloS one

Leaf

1. Parasitology international

Chemicals

Ficus hispida has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpinumisoflavone, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

Alpinumisoflavone

1. PloS one

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. PloS one

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Gallic acid

1. PloS one

Glycosides

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Isoflavones

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Saponins

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Sterols

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Activities

Ficus hispida has 7 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antihyperglycemic, Antineoplastic, Cardioprotective, Lactagogue.

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihyperglycemic

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antineoplastic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cardioprotective

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Lactagogue

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Neuroprotective

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Purgative

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Medicinal Uses

Ficus hispida has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, anemia, cancer, convulsion.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations