Description and Characteristics of Ficus macrophylla
– Ficus macrophylla is an evergreen tree that can reach heights of 60m (200ft).
– The trunk can have thick buttressing and reach a diameter of 2.4m (7.9ft).
– The bark is grey-brown and marked with various blemishes.
– The Lord Howe form of the tree drops aerial roots from its branches, which thicken into supplementary trunks.
– The leaves are large, elliptic, dark green, and arranged alternately on the stems.
– The specific epithet ‘macrophylla’ refers to the size of the leaves.
– The tree’s imposing buttress roots are a notable feature.
Distribution and Habitat of Ficus macrophylla
– The Moreton Bay fig is native to eastern coastal Australia, from central Queensland to the New South Wales south coast.
– It is found in subtropical, warm temperate, and dry rainforest habitats.
– The tree can grow as an emergent tree, with its crown towering above the canopy.
– It thrives in areas with an average yearly rainfall of 1,200–1,800mm (47–71in).
– The tree grows on soils high in nutrients, such as Bumbo Latite and Budgong Sandstone.
Ecological Importance of Ficus macrophylla
– The Moreton Bay fig is a key source of food in the rainforest, with its fruit being consumed by various species.
– It has an obligate mutualism with fig wasps, which are the only pollinators of figs.
– Several species of non-pollinating chalcidoid wasps are also found in the fig’s syconia.
– Nematode species such as Schistonchus macrophylla are found in the fig’s syconia.
– The tree provides shade and shelter for livestock in cleared rainforest areas.
Uses and Cultivation of Ficus macrophylla
– Ficus macrophylla is widely used as a feature tree in public parks and gardens in warm climates.
– Old specimens can reach tremendous size and have aggressive root systems.
– It is suitable for cultivation in California, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, northern New Zealand, and Australia.
– Moreton Bay figs are widely used in public parks.
– The roots of Moreton Bay figs are highly invasive and can cause damage to infrastructure.
Reproduction, Invasive Species, and Conservation of Ficus macrophylla
– Figs have an obligate mutualism with fig wasps for pollination.
– Moreton Bay figs are pollinated by Pleistodontes froggatti.
– F. macrophylla has naturalized in Hawaii and northern New Zealand.
– The introduction of Pleistodontes froggatti fig wasps led to prolific fruit production.
– Ficus macrophylla is protected under conservation laws in Australia.
– Habitat loss due to urbanization and land development poses a threat to the tree. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_Bay_fig
