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Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hicatee fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ficus vicencionis
• Ficus murilloi
• Ficus murilloi var. cajambrensis
• Ficus bopiana
• Pharmacosycea rigida
• Pharmacosycea pseudoradula
• Pharmacosycea glaucescens
• Pharmacosycea guyanensis
• Urostigma protensum
• Ficus chaconiana
• Ficus coybana
• Pharmacosycea grandaeva
• Ficus rubricosta
• Pharmacosycea hernandezii
• Ficus pseudoradula
• Ficus protensa
• Ficus plumieri
• Ficus subscabrida
• Ficus suffocans
• Ficus parkeri
• Ficus picardae
• Ficus glaucescens
• Ficus guadalajarana
• Ficus hernandezii
• Ficus populnea f. citrifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Moraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Ficus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ficus maxima, exhibits a wide-ranging presence across the diverse landscapes of Mexico. It can be found throughout the central regions, occupying the heart of the country. Its distribution also extends into the northeast, where it adapts to the specific local climates. Furthermore, the species is established in the gulf areas and spreads across the northwest territories. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches the southwest, completing its broad coverage of the Mexican terrain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus maxima is defined by its presence in diverse tropical forest environments, specifically within Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 2100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Ficus maxima is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived woody species, its development follows a multi-year trajectory that begins with seed germination, leading to the establishment of a robust root system and a spreading canopy. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes continuous vegetative growth and periodic reproductive phases, often influenced by environmental stability and seasonal shifts. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to accumulate significant biomass over time, establishing a permanent presence within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus maxima is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which can reach an impressive maximum height of 35 m, with a mean height typically recorded around 8.5 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is an independent species, lacking any parasitic relationship with other organisms. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting tree rather than a climber, liana, or vine, ensuring its stability through its significant woody architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

8.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus maxima is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, wherein carbon dioxide fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle during the light-independent reactions. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, Ficus maxima is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, necessitating the uptake of nitrates or ammonium directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus maxima is characterized by a complex biotic pollination syndrome, primarily reliant on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This specialized interaction ensures the success of its reproductive cycle through highly specific insect-mediated mechanisms. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits, which serve as the primary vessel for seed protection and subsequent dispersal. The dispersal syndrome is categorized as zoochorous, meaning the seeds are distributed via animals that consume the fruit, facilitating the spread of the species across its habitat. The seeds themselves are relatively small and uniform, with a consistent seed volume of 0.52 mm³ (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 0.52 mm³). In terms of physical dimensions, the seed length varies, with a minimum measurement of 1 mm and a maximum reaching up to 6 mm.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed volume max:

0.52 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ficus maxima has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, LOLIOLIDE, Lupeol, PYGENIC ACID A.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

LOLIOLIDE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

PYGENIC ACID A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

luteolin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Ficus maxima has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Ficus maxima has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gingivitis, snake bites.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations