Broom Cluster Fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broom Cluster Fig
• Broom-Cluster Fig
• Cape Wild Fig
• Fire Sticks
• Kooman
• Kooman Fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sycomorus panifica
• Sycomorus capensis
• Ficus capensis var. beniensis
• Ficus thonningiana
• Ficus capensis f. pubifolia
• Ficus lichtensteinii
• Ficus capensis
• Ficus sycomorus var. alnea
• Ficus sycomorus var. polybotrya
• Sycomorus guineensis
• Ficus sycomorus var. prodigiosa
• Ficus stellulata var. glabrescens
• Ficus capensis var. guineensis
• Ficus villosipes
• Ficus capensis var. trichoneura
• Ficus riparia
• Ficus hermannii
• Ficus plateiocarpa
• Ficus panifica
• Ficus ostiolata
• Ficus mallotocarpa
• Ficus munsae
• Ficus kondeensis
• Ficus ituriensis
• Ficus guineensis
• Ficus gongoensis
• Ficus beniensis
• Ficus clethrophylla
• Sycomorus riparia
• Sycomorus thonningiana
• Ficus capensis var. mallotocarpa
• Ficus ostiolata var. brevipedunculata
• Ficus capensis var. ostiolata
• Ficus capensis var. ituriensis
• Ficus capensis var. pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Ficus sur, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales and the family Moraceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Ficus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ficus sur, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found located in Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various territories. Specifically, the species is documented in the countries of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Additionally, the plant's geographical range includes the nation of Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus sur is characterized by its specific preference for moisture-rich environments, typically occurring within riverine forests and bush, as well as groundwater forests, though it is less frequently encountered in forest ecosystems situated away from water sources. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a significant vertical gradient that ranges from a low elevation of 15 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine forest and bush, groundwater forest, less often in forest away from water

Life history

The life history of Ficus sur is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence and survival within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a growth strategy that allows it to thrive in various forest environments. This phanerophyte life form is further supported by its structural development as a phanerophyte, which facilitates its ability to establish a robust, long-lived presence in its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus sur is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variation in its physical stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 35 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 17.33 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

17.3333333333333 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus sur is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production through the standard Calvin cycle. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic associations, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus sur is characterized by a complex biological process involving biotic pollination and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate fertilization. The fruit produced is a fleshy type, with an average length and width of 3.5 cm. The fruiting cycle is highly variable throughout the year, though specific data indicates a notable period centered around April. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces small seeds with a mean mass of 0.000564 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00032 g to a maximum of 0.0011 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.79 mm³. The dispersal of these seeds is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are spread by animals, which is a common evolutionary strategy for fleshy-fruited species to ensure effective seed distribution.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

3.5 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width mean:

3.5 cm

Fruiting time :

Apr

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0011 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000564 g

Seed mass min:

0.00032 g

Seed volume max:

0.79 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemicals

Ficus sur has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, As, CA, CD, CO.

Anthocyanins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

As

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

CA

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

CD

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

CO

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

CU

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

FE

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

MG

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

MN

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

PB

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

Medicinal Uses

Ficus sur has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations