Ficus cordata
Ficus cordata, the Namaqua rock fig,[1] is a species of fig that occurs in two disjunct populations in Africa, one in the arid southwest of the continent, and a second in the northern subtropics. In the south it is often the largest and most prominent tree,[2] and is virtually restricted to cliff faces and rock outcrops,[3] where it has a rock-splitting habit.[4]
Namaqua rock fig | |
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In the Fish River Canyon, Namibia | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Moraceae |
Genus: | Ficus |
Subgenus: | F. subg. Urostigma |
Species: | F. cordata |
Binomial name | |
Ficus cordata | |
Subspecies
The subspecies are:[5]
- F. c. cordata – southwestern Africa
- F. c. lecardii (Warb.) C.C.Berg – Senegal to central Africa[6]
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies is native to arid western South Africa, Namibia and southwestern Angola,[3] while a second subspecies is native to Africa's northern subtropics. The nominate subspecies is found in fynbos, succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo,[3] while the northern subspecies is found in savannah, up to 1,500 m above sea level.[6]
Species associations
The nominate subspecies is pollinated by the wasp Platyscapa desertorum Compton.. The wasp Comptoniella vannoorti Wiebes. is an associated non-pollinator that oviposits through the fig wall.[3] The pollinator wasp of the northern subspecies, F. c. lecardii, is as yet unknown.[6]
Similar species
F. salicifolia,[7] the Wonderboom, is sometimes deemed a third subspecies of Ficus cordata, i.e. F. c. subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C.Berg, but it lacks the yellowish sessile figs of F. cordata, and its range is much to the east.
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References
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2020). "Ficus cordata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T138393349A146447809. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- Moll, Eugene (2013). Watter Boom is dit?. ISBN 978-1-77007-832-1.
- Van Noort, S., Rasplus, J. "Ficus cordata cordata Thunberg 1786". Figweb. Iziko Museums. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- Burring, Jan. "Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq". PlantZAfrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- "Ficus cordata Thunb". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- Van Noort, S., Rasplus, J. "Ficus cordata lecardii (Warburg) C.C. Berg 1988". Figweb. Iziko Museums. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- "Ficus salicifolia Vahl". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 6 November 2014.