Distribution and Description
– Native to Africa south of the Sahel and north of the Tropic of Capricorn
– Also found in Lebanon, southern Arabian Peninsula, Cyprus, Madagascar, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt
– Grows in rich soils along rivers and in mixed woodlands
– Grows up to 20 m tall with a dense round crown of spreading branches
– Heart-shaped leaves with a rough texture, dark green above and lighter with yellow veins below
– Produces large edible figs, 2-3cm in diameter, ripening from buff-green to yellow or red
– Flowering and fruiting occurs year-round, peaking from July to December
– Bark is green-yellow to orange and exfoliates in papery strips
Cultivation and Gardens
– Cultivated by ancient Egyptians
– Remains found in Egyptian tombs from the third millennium BC
– Used for fruit, timber, and even caskets of mummies
– Requires symbiotic wasp for reproduction, which is extinct in Egypt
– Forms mini-ecosystems with insects and animals in tropical areas
– Orchard and ornamental tree in the Near East
– Has wide-spreading branches and provides shade
Religion
– Mentioned in the Bible multiple times
– Considered a valuable fruit tree in Jericho and Canaan
– Used for sacrifices and rituals in Kikuyu religion
– Associated with Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke
– Mentioned in Mishnah and Gemara in reference to tithing and geographic regions
External links
– Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ficus sycomorus.
– Figweb.org – Ficus sycomorus (provides information, resources, and images)
– PBS Nature documentary: The Queen of Trees (explores the relationship and ecological importance)
– Ficus sycomorus in West African plants – A Photo Guide (includes photographs and distribution information)
– Ficus sycomorus – Wikipedia (comprehensive overview, taxonomy, cultural significance, and external resources)
Not applicable (no identical concepts found) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sycamore_fig
