Morphology and distribution of the genus Ficus Linnaeus

Pleione 9(1): 1 - 17. 2015. ISSN: 0973-9467© East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte Taxonomy

Morphology and distribution of the genus Ficus Linnaeus(Moraceae) in Upper Assam, India

Priya Dhungana1,3, Purnima Devi¹ and S. K. Borthakur²¹Department of Botany, Cotton College, Dighalipukhuri (West), Guwahati 781001, Assam, India

²Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati 781014, Assam, India3Communicating author: E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

[Received 02.12.2014; Revised 25.04.2015; Accepted 05.05.2015]

The genus Ficus Linnaeus (Moraceae) with 115 taxa is distributed throughout India from Southto North up to the Himalaya at about 2,000 m elevations. Locally known as dimoru in case ofnon-epiphytic and jori in case of epiphytic species in Assam, India. 28 taxa including 6 varietiesand 1 subspecies under the subgenus Urostigma (Gasparrini) Miquel, Pharmacosycea (Miquel)Miquel, Sycomorus (Gasparrini) Miquel, Ficus and Sycidium (Miquel) Miquel are recordedfrom seven districts of Upper Assam and their morphological characters and distribution werestudied. Habitat of the taxa varies from epiphytic in early stage and free standing later to middlesized tree, shrub, scandent, climber. F. heteropluera Blume of subgenus Sycidium shows variationsin habitat such as shrub, scandent, creeping and even erect sometimes. F. hispida L. f. exhibitmaximum diversity and throughout distribution among all the species. Five forms of flowerarrangements are recorded under three types of flower i.e. male, female and gall flowers. Inaddition to morphological and distributional studies, anatomical studies are also required for thetaxa particularly from North-eastern region of India.

Key words: Ficus, distribution, morphology, Upper Assam.

INTRODUCTION

The genus Ficus Linnaeus (Moraceae) was first published in Systema Naturae by CarolusLinnaeus in 1735. Frodin (2004) ranked it as the 21st largest genus of among seeded plants.Approximately, 800 species are present in Tropical and Subtropical regions of the world(Adebayo et al. 2009). Asian-Australian region is regarded as richest with 500 species ofFicus flora as compared to Africa and the Neotropics with approximately 110 and 130species respectively (Ronsted et al. 2008). So far, 115 taxa of Ficus have been recordedfrom India (Chaudhary et al. 2012) and 42 species from Assam (Kanjilal et al. 1940). Islam(1990) reported 7 species of Ficus from Majuli (World’s biggest river island) while Bora &Kumar (2003) reported 11 Ficus species from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.

In India, after King (1888) till date no intensive work was conducted on the genusFicus. In Assam, after Kanjilal et al. (1940), there is no published work, so far, provided thefloral characters of this genus. The present report recods the distribution of different taxa ofthe genus Ficus Linnaeus in seven districts, namely Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat,Golaghat, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji of Upper Assam, India is undertaken.

STUDY AREA

Assam is one of the eight states of North Eastern region of India and has the diverselandscape with a variety of mixed dense forests which includes different varieties of trees,bamboo, cane grooves, tall grasses, shrubby and herbaceous vegetations. Both deciduousand evergreen timbers producing trees are found in the state. Tropical Wet Evergreen,Tropical Semi-Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Sub-Tropical Broad leaved Hill, Sub-Tropical Pine and Littoral, and Swamp Forests are the main forest types found in thestate. The Upper region of the state of Assam is the most productive region in the state,which is rich in natural resources like coal, oil and natural gas as well as tea plantations. Itis bordered by two states ie. Arunachal Pradesh in the north and east while Nagaland inthe south and lies between 92°16' E to 93°43' E longitude and 26°30' N to 27°01' Nlatitude.For the present work all the seven districts, namely Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat,Golaghat, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji, has been taken into consideration. The study area fallsunder physiographic domain of Brahmaputra valley and has an east west orientation whichexhibits four distinct physiographic units such as (i) the northern foothills (ii) the north-south bank plains (iii) the flood plain and char-lands (iv) the southern foot hills. The annualaverage rainfall of the area varies between 160cm and 430 cm from place to place withmaximum precipitation during June and July. The average temperature varies from 4°C to19°C during winter and 26°C to 37°C during summer accompanied by high humidity.

Districts under study

Figure 1: Map of the study areaFigure 1. Map of the study area.

METHODOLOGY

Regular field visits were undertaken in the study area during the years 2010 – 2014. Thestandard field and herbarium techniques were followed for collection and processing into

2 Genus Ficus in Upper Assam

mounted herbarium specimens (Jain & Rao 1977). Voucher specimens were submitted atGUBH. Specimens are identified with the help of published literatures (King 1888; Kanjilalet al. 1940; Deb 1981; Haridasan & Rao 1987; Islam 1990; Wu et al. 2003) and matchedwith the authentic identified specimens at ASSAM. The photography was done in laboratorywith a Carl Zeiss stereozoom-microscope fitted with Cannon Cybershot camera. For no-menclatural status www.tropicos.org, www.theplantlist.org and literatures such as Chaudharyet al. (2012) and Wu et al. (2003) were thoroughly consulted.

RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Key to the sub-genera

1a. Plants monoecious; flowers without or with bracts; shrubs or trees, often epiphytic;adventitious roots absent ......................................................................... 2

1b. Plants gynodioecious; flowers without bracts; shrubs, climbers, less often trees, rarelyepiphytic; adventitious roots short .......................................................... 4

2a. Plants epiphytic or epilithic at first with long aerial roots; main trunk usually not well-defined..................................................................................................... 1. Urostigma

2b. Plants never epiphytic; trees with main trunk well-defined; less often shrubs ...... 33a. Leaves entire or blunt and lobed; male flowers pedicellate; flowers bracts present ...............

............................................................................................... 2. Pharmacosycea3b. Leaves toothed; male flowers sessile; flower bracts absent .... 3. Sycomorus4a. Plants root climbers; leaves distichous ..................................... 4. Synoecia4b. Plants trees or shrubs; leaves similar ............................................................. 55a. Leaf often asymmetric; pistillode present in male flower ........ 5. Sycidium5b. Leaf symmetric; pistillode often absent in male flower ............................... 66a. Figs often cauliflorous or on leafless branches; lateral bracts present; male flowers near

apical pore ............................................................................... 3. Sycomorus6b. Figs axillary on leafy branches; lateral bracts absent; male flowers scattered .... 6. Ficus

Key to the species:

1a. Lamina acute, acuminate or attenuate ........................................................................ 21b. Lamina mucronate or obtuse ....................................................................................... 72b. Hypanthodia sessile ..................................................................................................... 52a. Hypanthodia pedunculate ........................................................................................... 33a. Hypanthodia in clusters ................................................................................................ 43b. Hypanthodium single ........................................................................................... F. glaberrima4a. Hypanthodia 6-9 mm, red , white spots onmature figs , peduncle 4-5 mm ..... F. caulocarpa4b. Hypanthodia 3-5 mm, without any spot, peduncle 0.4mm ............................... F. concinna5a. Lamina 3.9-9.5 x 1.3-5 cm ....................................................................................... F. benjamina5b. Lamina 11-16.5 x 7-10.5 cm ......................................................................................... 66a. Lamina caudate with cordate base ....................................................................... F. religiosa6b. Lamina acuminate with truncate or rounded base ............................................ F. rumphii7a. Hypanthodium covered by calyptriform bracts ................................................ F. altissima7b. Hypanthodium without calyptriform bracts ............................................................ 8

subgenus Urostigma (Gasparrini) Miquel

Priya Dhungana et al. 3

Ficus altissima Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 444. 1825; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 504.1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4:241. 1940; Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh 2:820. 1987.F. laccifera Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 3: 545. 1832.

Local name: Gadgubar (Assamese)

Large trees, often epiphytic when young; aerial roots very few. Petioles 1.8-2.6 cm. Laminaovate, 10-20 x 5-12 cm, entire, mucronate, base rounded. Hypanthodia 1.5 – 2.0 cm indiameter, yellowish when mature, covered with early deciduous calyptriform bracts. Flowers:Male flower absent [King 1888; Berg 1989]; females 4mm; tepals 3, lanceolate; style elongate.

Flowers & fruits: April – JuneSpecimen Examined: Assam, Dibrugarh, Dibru Saikhowa National Park, P. Dhungana011, April 09, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Kamrup, Goalpara and Dibrugarh; common.

Ficus benghalensis Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1059. 1753; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 499. 1888;Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4:240.1940; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 1: 211. 1981; Haridasan & Rao,For. Fl. Megh.2: 820. 1987.

Local name: Bor (Assamese)

Large tree with prop roots. Epiphytic when young. Petiole 1.25-5cm, stout. Lamina ovate,10-19 x 5-12 cm, entire, mucronate, base rounded. Hypanthodia 1-1.7 x 1.3-2.1 cm, sessile,reddish when mature. Flowers: Male absent; females 3-5mm, sessile or pedicellate, tepals 4,style elongated; galls 4-5mm, style short.

Flowering & fruiting: February-July

Specimen Examined: Assam, Sibsagar, Amguri, P.Dhungana 08, May 15, 2011.

Distribution in Assam: Throughout the state; abundant.

Ficus benjamina Linnaeus, Mant. Pl. 1: 129. 1767; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 508. 1888;Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 243. 1940; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 2: 212. 1981; Haridasan & Rao,For. Fl. Megh. 2: 821. 1987.

Large tree, epiphytic in early stage, branches drooping. Petioles 1-2 cm. Lamina ovate orovate-elliptic, rhomboid, 3.9-9.5 x 1.3-5 cm, entire, acuminate, base rounded to cuneate.Hypanthodia 0.7-2.1cm, axillary, globose or ovoid or pear shaped. Male, gall and femaleflowers in same hypanthodium.

Note: Wu et al. (2003) has accepted two varieties for the species and the same has beenfollowed here owing to their prominent morphological differences in natural populations.

1a. Hypanthodia depressed globose or sometimes pear-shaped (0.7-1.2 cm in diam); leaves 4-7.5 x 2-5.8 cm ...................................................... F. benjamina var. benjamina

1b. Hypanthodia globose or ovoid (1.5-2.1 cm in diam); leaves 7-10 x 3-6 cm .. F. benjamina var. nuda

Key to the varieties:

Ficus benjamina var. benjamina

F. benjamina var. bracteata Yamazaki, J. Phytogeogr. Taxon. 31(1): 6. 1983. F.cuspidatocaudata Hayata, Icon. Pl. Formos. 8: 119–120, f. 43. 1919. F. haematocarpa

8a. Lamina ovate, mucronate, base rounded, lateral nerves 4-8 on each side ...... F. benghalensis8b. Lamina obovate, obtuse, base cuneate, lateral nerves 6-11 on either side ..... F. curtipes


Blume ex Decaisne, Nouv. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat.3: 494.1834. F. nitida Thunberg, Ficus 5.10–11. 15. 1786. F. retusa var. nitida (Thunb.) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 3:267-288. 1867. Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 245. 1940.

Local name: Silubor, Jori (Assamese)

Trees, often epiphytic. Lamina ovate or rhomboid, 4-7.5 x 2-5.8 cm, acute or obtuse.Hypanthodia 0.7-1.2 cm in diam., sessile, depressed globose or sometimes pear-shaped.

Flowering & Fruiting: November – AprilSpecimen examined: Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, P.Dhungana 029,November, 25, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Kamrup, Goalpara, Cachar; abundant

Note: Young twigs are eaten by wild animals, especially by Hoolock gibbon.

Ficus benjamina var. nuda (Miquel) Barrett, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 45: 127. 1951.Urostigmanudum Miquel, London J. Bot. 6: 584. 1847. Urostigma benjaminum var. nudum Miquel,London J. Bot. 1: 583. 1851. F. benjamina L., Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 243. 1940.

Local name: Bor-nahori, Bor-jori, Jori (Assamese)

Large trees, branches drooping, epiphytic in early stage. Lamina ovate or elliptic 7-10 x 3-6cm, acuminate. Hypanthodia 1.5-2.1 cm in diam, globose or ovoid.

Flowering & Fruiting.: December – AprilSpecimen Examined: Assam, Dibrugarh, Dibru Saikhowa National Park, P.Dhungana017, April 09, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Throughout the state; very common.

Ficus caulocarpa (Miquel) Miquel, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lug- duno-Batavi 3: 235. 1867.Urostigma caulocarpum Miquel, London J. Bot. 6: 568. 1847. F. infectoria Willd. var.caulocarpa (Miquel) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 63-64. 1888. F. infectoriaWilld. Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 243. 1940.

Local name: Jori (Assamese)

Epiphyte to large tree. Petioles slender. Lamina elliptic, 6-9 x 4-6 cm, entire, acuminate, baseobtuse. Hypanthodia 6-9 mm diam., clustered on leafy branchlets, red, white spotted whenmature; peduncle 4-5 mm. Flowers: males few near apical pore, 1-2 mm, sessile, tepals 3,stamens 2; filament short or absent; galls sessile, tepals 2; style short, sub-apical; stigmadilated.

Flowering & fruiting: March-August

Specimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, P.Dhungana 018, May11, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Jorhat; rare.

Ficus concinna (Miquel) Miquel, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 3: 286. 1867; Panigrahi et al.,Bull. Bot. Surv. India 6: 258. 1964; Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 605.2005. Urostigma concinnum Miquel, Hook. London J. Bot. 6: 570. 1847. F. glabella var.affinis (Wallich ex Kurz) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 50. 1888; Kanjilal et al.,Fl. Assam 4: 244. 1940.



Tree, sometimes epiphytic. Petiole 1-1.8 cm. Lamina ovate-lanceolate, 7-12 x 3-6 cm, entire,acuminate, base cuneate. Hypanthodia in clusters, peduncle 0.4 mm, 3-5 mm in diam., spherical.Flowers: males very few near apical pore, 0.7-1 mm, tepals 3, hyaline, stamen 1. galls &females similar 0.9-1 mm, sub-sessile, tepals 4, hylaline, style lateral, short, stigma rounded.

Flowering & fruiting: August-October

Specimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P. Dhungana 026, September 23, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Tinsukia; rare.

Ficus curtipes Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17: 397. 1960 & 21 (1): 22. 1965; Berg &Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 648. 2005; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 1: 212-213.1981; Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 821-822. 1987. F. obtusifolia Roxburgh, Fl. Ind.3: 546. 1832 (non H.B.K. 1817); Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 2: t. 662. 1843; Hooker f., Fl.Brit. India 5: 507. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 242. 1940. Joseph, Fl. NongpohVicinity.251.1982.

Local name: Kothalua-jari, Kathal-patia-bor (Assamese)

Tree, epiphytic when young. Petioles 1-2 cm. Lamina obovate, 10-14 x 4-5 cm, entire, obtuse,base cuneate. Hypanthodia sessile, 1cm diam., globose, tip depressed. Flowers: males many,2-3 mm, scattered, stamen 1; galls 2-3 mm, sessile; ovary white, style sub-terminal, elongate.

Flowering & fruiting: September – NovemberSpecimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Lekhapani, P.Dhungana 025, September 07, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Tinsukia, Golaghat, Sibsagar, Karbi-Anglong, Lakhimpur, Cachar;common.

Ficus glaberrima Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 451. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 506.1888; Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 655. 2005. Kanjilal et al., Fl.Assam, 4: 241. 1940. F. rigida Jacq., Malay. Misc. 2(7): 72. 1822; Merrill, J. Arnold. Arb.33: 225. 1952. Chaudhary et al., Syp. Genus Ficus L. (Mor.) India. 57(2): 208. 2012.

Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)

Tree, epiphytic when young. Petioles 1-2.8 cm. Lamina elliptic, 9-19 x 3-6 cm, entire, acuminate,base rounded or cuneate. Hypanthodia axillary, penducle 0.8-1cm, 6-9mm in diam., globose.Basal bracts 3 and apical bracts 4. Flowers: males few, scattered, tepals 3, stamen 1, filamentthick; galls many, pedicel thick, short, tepals 3, style curved.

Flowering & fruiting: September-November

Specimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P.Dhungana 27, September 23, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Tinsukia and Cachar; not so abundant

Ficus religiosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1059. 1753; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 513. 1888;Kanjilal et al., Fl.Assam.4:246.1940; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 1:218. 1981. Joseph, Fl. NongpohVicinity 254.1982. Haridasan & Rao. For. Fl. Megh 2:831. 1987.

Local name: Ahot (Assamese)

Large tree, epiphytic when young. Petioles 5-10 cm, slender. Lamina aspen-like, 10-16.5 x6-10.5 cm, entire or undulated, caudate, base cordate. Hypanthodia (1cm dia), in pairs, sessile,smooth, depressed apex, deep purple when mature. Flowers: Male absent; females 2-3 mm,sessile or pedicellate; tepals 3; stigma rounded; galls 1.5-2 mm, many more than females,sessile or pedicellate; tepals 3; stigma rounded.


Flowering & fruiting: February-

Specimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P. Dhungana, September 23, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Throughout the state; abun

Ficus rumphii Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 437.1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 512. 1888;Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4:246. 1940; Deb, Fl. Tripura State. 1:218. 1981. Joseph, Fl.NongpohVicinity253-254.1982. Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 831. 1987.


Large tree, epiphytic when young. Petioles 5-9 cm, slender. Lamina ovate, 11-15 x 7-10 cm,acuminate. Hypanthodia in pairs, sessile, 7-1 x 8-1.2 cm, smooth, ± black when mature.Flowers: males very few, near apical pore, 2-3 mm, tepals 3, spathulate, stamen 1, filamentlong; females sessile or pedicellate, 2-4 mm, tepals 3, style sub-terminal or lateral; stigmasimple with hairy tip; galls 2-3mm, tepals 3, style short.

Flowering & fruiting: April-June

Specimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Sotai, P. Dhungana 006, April 02, 2011.

Distribution in Assam: Throughout; abundant.

Subgenus: Pharmacosycea (Miquel) Miquel

Ficus nervosa B. Heyne ex Roth in Nov. Pl. Sp. 388. 1821; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 512.1888; Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 254. 1982. Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 830.1987. Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 154. 2005. Chaudhary et al., Syp.Genus Ficus L. (Mor.) India. 57(2): 206. 2012. Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 245. 1940.

Local name: Khari-pati-dimoru (Assamese)

Trees. Lamina obovate, 9-20 × 5-9 cm, entire, acute, base acute. Hypanthodia axillary, solitaryor paired, 0.8-1.1 cm in diam., globose, base attenuate into a stalk. Flowers: males 3mm,pedicellate, tepals 4, spatulate, stamen 1; galls 3-4mm, sessile or pedicellate, tepals 4.

Flowering & fruiting: January-August

Specimen Examined: Assam, Karbi-Anglong, Nambor Reserved Forest, P. Dhungana031, December 21, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Sibsagar, Nagaon, Kamrup, Goalpara, Golaghat, Karbi-Anglong;rare.

Subgenus Sycomorus (Gasparrini) Miquel

Key to the species:

1a. Leaves opposite ................................................................................ 21b. Leaves alternate ................................................................................ 32a. Hypanthodia without lateral bracts .................................................. F. hispida2b.Hypanthodia with lateral bracts ........................................................ F. squamosa3a. Hypanthodia with longitudinal ridges ............................................. F. auriculata3b. Hypanthodia without longitudinal ridges ....................................... 44a. Lamina crenate; medium trees ,......................................................... 54b. Lamina entire; large trees ................................................................ 6


5a. Lamina base symmetric; hypanthodia in clusters on trunk ............ F. fistulosa5b. Lamina base asymmetric; hypanthodia on leafless branches drooping often from tree base or

from branches from underground part .......................................... F. semicordata6a. Lamina base acute ............................................................................ F. racemosa6b. Lamina base cordate or rounded ....................................................... F. variegata

Ficus auriculata Loureiro, Fl. Cochinch. 2: 666. 1790; King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta)1: 179. 1888; Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 253. 1982; Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl.Malesiana 17(2): 341. 2005. F. roxburghii Wallich ex Steudel, Nom. Bot. ed. 2, 1: 637.1840; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 534. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 263. 1940. F.pomifera Wallich ex King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 171. 1888; Hooker f., Fl. Brit.India 5: 535. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl Assam 4: 263. 1940.Local name: Mou-dimoru, Aatha-dimoru (Assamese)Medium spreading trees. Petioles 4-6 cm. Lamina ovate, 14-40 x 13-32 cm, serrate, acuminate,base cordate. Hypanthodia on 3-7 cm peduncles in fascicles on leafless brachlets or trunk, 4-8 cm in diam., longitudinally ridged. Apical bracts in rows of 4 or more, rosulate. Flowers: maleand gall absent; females 0.8-10 mm, sessile or pedicellate, tepals 3, style lateral, long, stigmadilated. Achenes minute, oval.Flowering & fruiting: February-MaySpecimen Examined: Assam, Sibsagar, Amguri, P. Dhungana 010, May 15, 2011.Distribution in Assam: Throughout the state; common.

Ficus fistulosa Reinwardt ex Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 470. 1825; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India5: 525. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 255. 1940; Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 254. 1982.Haridasan & Rao, 2: 824. 1987. Deb, Fl. Tripura state 1:214. 1981. Berg & Corner inNooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 418. 2005.Local name: Thupuki dimoru, kotia dimoru (Assamese)Medium spreading trees. Petioles 1-3 cm. Lamina obovate, 11-22 x 5.5-10 cm, margin cuneate,acuminate, base acute. Hypanthodia on trunk and branches, 1-1.5 x 1-2.8 cm, bright greenwhen young. Flowers: Male absent; females 2-3 mm sessile or pedicellate, style 1-2 mm,stigma cylindrical and pointed; galls 2-3 mm, sessile or shortly pedicellate, style short, sub-terminal, stigma funnel-shaped.Flowering & fruiting: March-MaySpecimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, P.Dhungana 004, March17, 2011.Distribution in Assam: Jorhat, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Karbi-Anglong, Lakhimpur;common.

Ficus hispida Linnaeus f., Suppl. Pl. 442. 1782; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 522. 1888; Berg& Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 426. 2005; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 252.1940; Deb, Fl. Tripura state 1: 215-216. 1981. Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 253. 1982;Haridasan & Rao, 2: 827. 1987.Local name: Khohota dimoru (Assamese)Hispid shrub to small tree. Petioles 1.5-5.2 cm. Lamina elliptic, 10.5-32 x 6-11 cm, serrate ordentate, decussate, acuminate, base rounded. Hypanthodia stalked on old branches at nodes,1.2-3 x 1.3-2.2 cm in diam., spherical or pyriform, matures greenish yellow. Flowers: Male


absent; females 2-7mm, style long, hairy, stigma tubular; galls 2-7mm, style minute, subterminal,stigma simple.Flowering & fruiting: Throughout the yearSpecimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Sotai, P. Dhungana 001, April 05, 2010.Distribution in Assam: Throughout; abundant.

Ficus racemosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1060. 1753; King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1:183. 1888; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 1: 217. 1981. Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana17(2): 339. 2005; F. glomerata Roxburgh, Pl. Coromandel. 2: 13, t. 123. 1798, Kanjilal et al.,Fl. Assam 4:264. 1940. Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 535. 1888;Local name: Jayagh dimoru (Assamese)Tree profusely branched. Petioles 1.6-2.3cm long. Lamina ovate, 7-16 x 3.5-8.4 cm, entire,acuminate, base acute. Hypanthodia on trunk and branches,30-40 mm in diam., reddishwhen mature, ostiole slightly sunken or flat. Flowers: male absent; females 3-5 mm, sessileor minutely stalked, tepals 3, style long, ovary red spotted, sub-terminal; galls 3-5 mm, manymore than females distributed in all areas, stalked, tepals 4, style short, stigma clavate.Flowering & fruiting: March-JulySpecimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P. Dhungana 009, September 23, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Throughout; abundant.

Ficus semicordata Buchanan-Hamilton ex J.E. Smith, Rees Cyclop. 14: Ficus no. 71.1810; Deb, Fl. Tripura state. 1: 219.1981. Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana17(2): 382. 2005; Chaudhary et al., Syp. Genus Ficus L. (Mor.) India. 57(2): 204. 2012. F.cunia Buchanan-Hamilton ex Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 3: 561. 1832; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5:523. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 253. 1940.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Medium trees. Petiole 4-8 cm. Lamina oblong, asymmetric,14-30 x 6-14 cm, serrate, acuminateor acute, base cordate. Hypanthodia on 4-9 mm long peduncle from leafless drooping orbasal or underground branches, 0.8-1.8 cm in diam., globose, reddish- brown with whiteoutgrowths; apical bracts with verrucose central aperture. Flowers: Males & Galls absent;females 1mm, shortly stalked, tepals 2, style, long, stigma large.Flowering & fruiting: April-JuneSpecimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, P. Dhungana 019, May11, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Karbi-Anglong, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Cachar; rare.

Ficus squamosa Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 3: 531. 1832; Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 833.1987; Deb, Fl. Tripura State 1: 220. 1981. Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 251. 1982; Wu et al.,Fl. China 5: 49. 2003. F. saemocarpa Miquel, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.- Bat. 3: 232. 1867;Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 523. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 252. 1940.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Medium trees. Stem hollowed. Petioles 1.8-8 cm. Lamina elliptic, 11-25 x 6.6-15 cm, serrateor crenate, acuminate or mucronate, base rounded or obtuse. Hypanthodia in panicles fromstem, spherical, brownish hairy, 3-4 lateral bracts on fig, inverted triangle. flowers: females3 mm, pedicellate, tepals attached to ovary, style sub-terminal or lateral, hairy; stigma slightlybifurcated, brown.


Flowering & fruiting: March-MaySpecimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, P. Dhungana 028,September 01, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Kamrup, Jorhat, Cachar, Karbi-Anglong; rare.

Ficus variegata Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 459. 1825; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 535.1888; Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 347. 2005. King, Ann. Roy. Bot.Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 169, t. 212, 213. 1888 & in Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 535. 1888.Chaudhary et al. Syp. Genus Ficus Linnaeus (Mor.) India. 57(2): 204. 2012.Large trees. Petiole 3-7 cm. Lamina ovate to elliptic, 13-18 x 7-11 cm, entire, acuminate oracute, base cordate or rounded. Hypanthodia in 2-5 cm long peduncle clustered on shortlytuberculate branchlets from old stem, 2-5 cm diam., globose or slightly pyriform, slightlydepressed apical pore. Flowers: male & gall absent; females 3-4mm, sessile or pedicellate,tepals 4, style long, stigma cylindrical.Note: www.tropicos.org have placed the two varieties as synonym of F. variegata whileWu et al. (2003) also placed the two varieties as synonym but mentioned that the hypanthodiawith white spot is var. garciae and hence in the present study the two plant materials havegiven the rank of variety owing to their difference in characters.

Key to the varieties1a. Hypanthodia 4-5cm in diam., not spotted; fig cavity star shaped .... F. variegata var. chlorocarpa1b. Hypanthodia 2-3cm in diam., white spotted; fig cavity round .... F. variegata var. garciae

Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa (Bentham) Bentham ex King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard.Calcutta) 1: 170. 1888.

Local name: Gash dimoru (Assamese)

Hypanthodia 4 - 5 cm diam., without white spots, globose; peduncle 2 - 3 cm, cavity star-shaped.

Flowering & fruiting: May - July

Specimen Examined: Assam, Golaghat, Kaziranga National Park, P. Dhungana 013,June 07, 2012.

Distribution in Assam: Sonitpur, Golaghat and Jorhat; common.

Ficus variegata var. garciae (Elmer) Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 18(1): 33. 1960.


Hypanthodia 2 - 3 cm diam., white spotted, globose or slightly pyriform, cavity round; peduncle3 - 5 cm.

Flowering & fruiting: May - July

Specimen Examined: Assam, Golaghat, Kaziranga National Park, P. Dhungana 020,May 25, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Jorhat and Golaghat; common.

Subgenus Ficus

1a. Hypanthodia sessile..........................................................................21b. Hypanthodia peduncled....................................................................3

Key to the species


2a. Lamina unlobed, base cordate .........................................................20. F. esquiroliana2b. Lamina 3-5 lobed, base lobate .........................22. F. hirta3a. Shrubs, lamina irregularly toothed in upper part below tip .............21. F. gasparriniana3b. Trees, lamina entire..........................................................................44a. Stigma cylindrical and little hairy.....................................................23. F. lamponga4b. Stigma branched and not hairy .........................................................18. F. erecta

Ficus erecta Thunberg, Ficus 9. 1786; King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 141. 1888;Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 532. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 257. 1940. F. pumilaThunberg, Fl. Jap. 33. 1784 (non Linnaeus 1753). Chaudhary et al. Syp. Genus Ficus Linnaeus(Mor.) India. 57(2): 195. 2012.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Trees. Petiole slender, pubescent. Lamina ovate or elliptic, 5-8 x 2.5-4 cm, entire, acute,base obtuse or rounded. Hypanthodia on 1-1.5 cm long peduncle, solitary, axillary, 1-2 cm indiam., globose. Basal and apical bracts 3. Flowers: male & gall absent; females 2-3 mm,tepals 4, spatulate, ovary smooth, style lateral, branched stigma.Flowering & fruiting: June-SeptemberSpecimen examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P. Dhungana 024, September 23,2013.Distribution in Assam: Tinsukia; rare.

Ficus esquiroliana H. Leveille, Bull. Acad. Int. Geogr. Bot. 24: 252. 1914. F. hirta Vahlvar. roxburghii (Miquel) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 150. 1888; Kanjilal et al.,Fl. Assam 4: 256. 1940.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Shrubs. Branchles brownish-yellow hirsute. Petioles 3-5 cm, hirsute. Lamina oblong, 13-22x 11-16 cm, serrate, acuminate, base cordate, juvenile ones 3-5 lobed. Hypanthodia sessile,on upper part of normal leafy shoots, solitary or in pairs, 1.5-3 cm in diam., ovoid withlongitudinal ridges, brownish hirsute, navel-like apical pore. Flowers: males near apical pore,3-5 mm, pedicellate, tepals 3-4, stamens 2; galls 3-5 mm, shortly pedicellate, tepals 4, , stigmafunnel-shaped.Flowering & fruiting: November-JuneSpecimen Examined: Assam, Golaghat, Numaligarh, P. Dhungana 030, December 03,2013.Distribution in Assam: Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi-Anglong; rare.

Ficus gasparriniana var. laceratifolia (Leveille & Vaniot) Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore17: 428. 1960. F. laceratifolia H. Loveille & Vaniot, Mem. Real Acad. Ci. Barcelona, ser.3, 6: 151. 1907. F. bhotanica King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 75. 1888; Hooker f.,Fl. Brit. India 5: 519. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 4: 258. 1940.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Erect shrub. Petiole 0.8-1.2 cm. Lamina obovate or elliptic, 7-16 x 3-9 cm, irregularly toothedin upper part below tip, acuminate, base cordate. Hypanthodia solitary or in pairs, 0.7-1.2 x0.7-1 cm, globose or ovoid, purplish- red with white spots when mature. Flowers: male &gall absent; females 1-2 mm, sessile, tepals 5, style, curved hook-like, stigma pointed.Flowering & fruiting: September-March


Specimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Sotai, P.Dhungana 15, September, 2012.Distribution in Assam: Jorhat; rare.

Ficus hirta Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 201. 1805; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 531. 1888; Kanjilal etal., Fl. Assam 4:255.1940. Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 113. 2005.Joseph, Fl. Nongpoh Vicinity 252.1982. Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 826. 1987. Deb,Fl. Tripura State 1: 215. 1981.Local name: Khogal dimoru (Assamese)Small tree or shrub. Lamina 3-5 lobed, 10-26 x 6-16 cm, serrate, acute to acuminate, basecuneate/ rounded or shallowly cordate, hirsute. Hypanthodia sessile, 0.7-3 cm in diam., hairslong stiff spreading golden yellow or brown. Flowers 4-types (i) Staminate with pistillode (ii)Gall with funnel-shaped stigma (iii) Pistillate (iv) Staminate; males & galls sessile or short-pedicellate; tepals 4 red in all types; males 3-6 mm, lanceolate, stamens 2 or 3, anthers,longer than filaments; galls 3-6 mm, ovary globose or ovoid-globose, smooth, style, short;females 3-6 mm sessile or pedicellate, style persistent, long, thin, stigma clavate. Achenesellipsoid-globose, smooth.Flowering & fruiting: November - JuneSpecimen Examined: Assam, Jorhat, Sotai, P. Dhungana 003, June 27, 2010.Distribution in Assam: Jorhat, Golaghat, Sonitpur; abundant.

Ficus lamponga Miquel, Fl. Ind. Bat. Supple. 431. 1861 & Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 3:294. 1867; Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 828. 1987. Berg & Corner in Nooteboom, Fl.Malesiana 17(2): 116. 2005. F. lepidosa Wallich ex Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 42 (2): 107.1873; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. lndia 5: 522. 1888; F. lepidosa var. martabanica King, Ann. Roy.Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 163. 1888; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 522. 1888. Chaudhary et al.Syp. Genus Ficus L. (Mor.) India. 57(2): 197. 2012; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 259. 1940.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Medium trees. Bark brownish-grey. Stipules lanceolate. Petiole 6-8cm. Lamina elliptic, 10-19 x 5-10 cm, entire, acuminate, base acute, chartaceous. Hypanthodia axillary, on 0.5-1cmlong peduncle, in pairs or solitary, 2-2.5cm in diam., globose or sub-pyriform, reddish-orangewhen mature; bracts: basal 3, apical 4. Flowers: females sessile or pedicellate, tepals 4-5,style sub terminal, stigma cylindrical, slightly hairy.Flowering & fruiting: March-JulySpecimen Examined: Assam, Lakhimpur, Bordoibam, P.Dhungana 002, April 19, 2010.Distribution in Assam: Jorhat, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Cachar; abundant.

Subgenus Sycidium (Miquel) Miquel

Key to the species1a. Shrub, scandent, creeping, sometimes branches erect; lamina base symmetric .... F.

heteropleura1b. Tree, lamina base asymmetric ........................................................25. F. tinctoria

Ficus heteropluera Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 466. 1825; Berg & Corner in Nooteboom,Fl. Malesiana 17(2): 274. 2005. Deb, Fl. Tripura state. 1: 214-215. 1981. F. urophylla Wallichex Miquel, Hook. London J. Bot. 7: 429. 1848; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 498. 1888; Kanjilalet al., Fl. Assam 4:239.1940. Haridasan & Rao, For. Fl. Megh. 2: 834. 1987.


G H

D E

A

I

F

C

B

PLATE - I: Figs. A - I. Flowers in Ficus Linnaeus: (A) L. S. of hypanthodium showing arrangement offlowers in F. heteropleura; (B) L. S. through ostiolar region showing staminate flower in F. rumphii;(C) Unistaminate flower of F. rumphii; (D) Bistaminate flower of F. esquiroliana; (E) Gall flower withfunnel-shaped stigma in F. fistulosa; (F) Pistillate flower of F. heteropleura; (G) Staminate flower witha gall flower in F. hirta; (H) Pistillate flower of F. altissima; (I) Gall flower showing the embryo ofHymenoptera wasp in F. religiosa

Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Shrub, scandent, creeping, branches sometimes erect. Petioles 4-6cm; lamina obovate orelliptic, 9-13 x 5-6 cm, entire, acuminate-caudate, base obtuse. Hypanthodia 7-9 mm, shortlyhairy, reddish-orange when mature. Flowers: male & gall absent; females 3-4mm, sessile,tepals 3, lanceolate, style sub-terminal, stigma cylindrical.


Flowering & fruiting: February - JuneSpecimen Examined: Assam, Kamrup, Kamakhya, P. Dhungana 012, April 27, 2012.Distribution in Assam: Kamrup, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Nagaon; rare.

Ficus tinctoria subsp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17: 476. 1960; Singhet al., Fl. Bihar 481. 2001. F. gibbosa Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 9: 466. 1825; Hook. f., Fl.Brit. India 5: 496. 1888; Kanjilal et.al. 4:238.1940. F. cuspidifera Miq., Hook. London J.Bot. 7: 434. 1848; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 497. 1888.Local name: Dimoru (Assamese)Trees. Petiole 4-7cm long. Lamina obovate, 10-22 x 6-10cm, entire, attenuate, base cuneate.Hypanthodia axillary, 2-9 mm in diam., pyriform. Flowers: males 2-3mm, tepals 4, fleshy,stamen 1, filament short; females 3-4mm, tepals 2, hyaline, acuminate, style long, slightlylateral, stigma branched.Flowering & fruiting: June - AugustSpecimen Examined: Assam, Golaghat, Kaziranga National Park, P. Dhungana 021, July04, 2013.Distribution in Assam: Golaghat; rare.

Subgenus Synoecia Miquel ex Mildbraed & Burret

Key to the species:

1a. Rooting at nodes; lamina acute, base shape obtuse ........................... F. hederacea

1b. Aerial roots absent; lamina acuminate, base shape acute ................... F. pubigera

Ficu hederacea Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 3: 538. 1832; Haridasan & Rao. For. Fl. Megh. 2: 226.1987. Deb, Fl. Tripura state. 1: 214. 1981. F. scandens Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 3: 536. 1832 (nonLam. 1788); Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 526. 1888; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam, 4: 260. 1940Chaudhary et al. Syp. Genus Ficus Linnaeus (Mor.) India. 57(2): 200. 2012.

Local name: Lata dimoru (Assamese)

Root-climber. Petiole 2cm. Lamina elliptic or ovate, 5-10 x 3-5 cm, entire, acute, base shapeobtuse. Hypanthodia on 0.8-1 cm long peduncle, solitary or in pairs, 0.5-1.5 cm, globose,hairy, greenish-yellow when mature. Flowers: females 1mm, sessile or pedicellate, tepals 3,style sub-apical.

Flowering & fruiting: April-August

Specimen Examined: Assam, Sibsagar, Sola Reserve Forest, P. Dhungana 023, September29, 2013.

Distribution in Assam: Sibsagar; rare. Not so abundant

Ficus pubigera (Wallich ex Miquel) Kurz var. maliformis (King) Corner, Gard. Bull.Singapore 18: 6. 1960. F. foveolata Wallich ex Miquel var. maliformis King, Ann. Roy. Bot.Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 134. 1888; Hooker f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 532. 1888. Kanjilal et al., Fl.Assam 4:261.1940.


Shrub. Petiole 3-4cm. Lamina oblong or elliptic, 9-21 x 4-9 cm, entire, acuminate, baseacute. Hypanthodia 1-2cm in diam., globose, tuberculate, glabrous. Flowers: males 1-2mm,


scattered near apical pore, sessile, tepals 3, lanceolate, filaments short, stamens 2; galls 1.5-2 mm, pedicellate, tepals 4, style subterminal.

Flowering & fruiting: April – SeptemberSpecimen Examined: Assam, Tinsukia, Kakopathar, P.Dhungana 22, September 023,2013.

Distribution in Assam: Tinsukia; rare.

DISCUSSION

A total of 28 species including 6 varieties and 1 subspecies have been recorded from the sixdistricts of Upper Assam under the subgenera Urostigma, Sycomorus, Ficus and Sycidiumof the genus Ficus Linnaeus. All the species, namely, F. altissima, F. benghalensis, F.benjamina, F. caulocarpa, F. curtipes, F. concinna, F. glaberrima, F. religiosa and F.rumphii from the subgenus Urostigma are epiphytic in early stage and free standing later.F.nervosa, the only species recorded from the subgenus Pharmacosycea is a free standingtree. In subgenus Sycomorus, the species varies from shrub (F. hispida), medium trees (F.auriculata, F. fistulosa, F. Hispida, F. squamosa and F. semicordata) to big free standingtrees (F. racemosa and F. variegata). All the species in subgenus Ficus are shrubs (F.esquiroliana, F. gasparriniana and F. hirta) or small trees (F. chartacea, F. erecta, F.hirta and F. lamponga). F. heteropluera of subgenus Sycidium shows variations in habitsuch as shrub, scandent, creeping and sometimes even erect, while F. tinctoria is a tree. Allthe species of the subgenus Synoecia i.e. F. hederacea, F. pubigera and F. pumila arescandent shrubs or climbers.

According to Kumar et al. (2011), F. hispida is quite variable in height, size of leavesand position of fruiting branches, but can easily be identified by its opposite leaves andhollow leafy twigs, which is also recorded here and is the most widely distributed species inthe study area. Although, F. religiosa and F. benghalensis are seen to be widely distributedbut are also commonly planted with religious sentiment.

The types of flower present in the taxa are described differently by different authors.King (1888) explained four types of flowers (male, female, gall and neuter) whereas Kanjilalet al. (1940) described five types of flower (male, female, gall, pseudo-hermaphrodite andneuter). Wu et al. (2003) broadly described three flower types as male, female and gall. Inthe present study, the flower types and its arrangements are in accordance with the Wu etal. (2003). It was also recorded that male flowers are less in number than females and evenfound to be absent sometimes which was also reported earlier by King (1888) and Berg(1989) in their study on the flowers of the genus.

There is vast traditional role of Ficus species in indigenous system of medicine likeAyurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy. Exudate from root of F. hispida is taken indiabetes (Borah et al 2012). The ripe receptacle of F. hispida is also eaten which is consideredas good for liver (Dutta 2012). Boiled fruits of F. racemosa are given in diabetes (Buragohain2011). Fruits and leaves of F. racemosa is used in liver disorders, which is also been reportedby Hazarika et al. 2012. Fruit juice of F. benghalensis is used in diabetes (Chakravarty &Kalita 2012). Crushed leaf-paste of F. hispida and F. rumphii are applied to cure ringworm.The bark-paste of F. benghalensis and F. religiosa is applied on cuts and wounds. Thecrude leaf extracts of F. benghalensis is occasionally used as antiseptic (Chowdhury et al.2005). Dried bark ash of F.religiosa with coconut oil is applied on wounds (Chutia et al.2012). F. religiosa and F. benghalensis are considered highly sacred by Hindus as well as


to the Buddhists and are worshiped in different ways on various occasions. Therefore, theyare planted in all parts of India including Assam. F. benjamina var. nuda is used in religiousceremony by the tea tribes community of Upper Assam. Mishing people uses the leaves ofF. racemosa as primary curry item in all religious festivals (Sharma & Pegu 2011).

CONCLUSION

Northeastern region is considered as the hotspot region for the genus in India with maximumnumber of species recorded by Chaudhary et al. (2012). The present article provided thedetails of general and floral morphology of Ficus Linnaeus growing in Upper Assam. However,additional anatomical and palynological studies can be undertaken for better understandingof the genus.

LITERATURE CITED

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Morphology and distribution of the genus Ficus Linnaeus