Ficus leptoclada
| Ficus leptoclada | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Species: | F. leptoclada
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus leptoclada | |
Ficus leptoclada, commonly known as Atherton fig or figwood, is a species of plant in the family Moraceae. It is native to the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia.
Description
Ficus leptoclada is a small tree growing to about 15 m (49 ft) tall, sometimes developing buttresses. The leaves are up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide, and are attached to the twigs by short petioles. The leaves have 7–10 pairs of lateral veins either side of the midrib, and the leaf margins may have very small prickle-like teeth.[4][5]
The figs are borne in the leaf axils, on the branches or on the trunk. They are more or less globular, with a 'beak' at the apex. They measure about 2 cm (0.79 in) long and 1.7 cm (0.67 in) wide and when ripe may be yellow, orange, red or purple.[4][5]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to eastern Queensland in two separate populations. The larger group is from just south of Cooktown to the area around Townsville.[6] A much smaller population occurs near Mackay. It inhabits rainforest on a variety of soils, at altitudes from sea level to about 1,200 m (3,900 ft). It is often seen in rainforest regrowth, as it is favoured by disturbance.[4][5]
Ecology
Fruit of this tree are eaten by many bird species,[7] including fruit pigeons (genus Ptilinopus) and double-eyed fig parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma),[4] and by common blossom bats (Syconycteris australis).[8]
Taxonomy
The species was described by English botanist George Bentham in 1873, based on material collected in Rockingham Bay by John Dallachy.[9]
Conservation
As of February 2026, this species has been assessed to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and by the Queensland Government under its Nature Conservation Act.[1][10]
Gallery
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Foliage
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Trunk with figs
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Fruit
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Stipules
References
- ^ a b IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). (2021). "Ficus leptoclada". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T192488322A192495031. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T192488322A192495031.en.
- ^ "Ficus leptoclada Benth". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Ficus leptoclada Benth". POWO. Plants of the World Online, facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Ficus leptoclada". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Chew, W.-L.; Kodela, P.G. (2022). Kodela, P.G. (ed.). "Ficus leptoclada Benth". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Search: species: Ficus leptoclada | Occurrence records". Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Australian Government. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. pp. 324–235. ISBN 978-0-9581742-1-3.
- ^ Law, Bradley S. (2001). "The diet of the common blossom bat (Syconycteris australis) in upland tropical rainforest and the importance of riparian areas". Wildlife Research. 28 (6): 624. doi:10.1071/WR00058.
- ^ Bentham, George; Mueller, Ferdinand von (1873). Flora Australiensis: vol. 6. London: L. Reeve and co. p. 172. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Ficus leptoclada". WildNet. Queensland Government. 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
External links
- Map of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- Observations of this species on iNaturalist
- Images of this species on Flickriver.com