10 Sweet Sandpaper Fig 13 Shiny Sandpaper Fig Ficus opposita Ficus fraseri Found throughout Malesia and in This smaller-sized tree grows near eastern Australia, this small, yet creeks and in rain forest scrublands resilient plant can grow in many in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and environments and even survive Australia. The leaves can take on occasional wildfires. Its common many forms, including having name comes from the sweet figs it lobed indentations on the margins. produces and the sandpaper-like texture of its leaves. Figs are a favorite food for a host of fruit bats. For Malesia, a region encompassing islands from Indonesia to example, this fig species is sought-after food by gray- FUN Papua New Guinea, is an area of incredible biodiversity. FUN FACT FACT headed flying foxes. 11 Riverine Fig 14 Figwood Ficus adenosperma Ficus virgata An odd rheophyte found growing Spanning Asia, Malesia, and tropical along creeks and riverbanks from northern Australia, this medium- New Guinea to Australia. These sized tree is useful to humans and trees look delicate, but they are animals alike. The bright-orange very strong and are able to survive figs are eaten by metallic starlings, yearly floods and strong currents. a threatened bird from New Guinea and Australia. A rheophyte is a type of plant that grows in fast- The sap has been used to protect against insect bites moving water. Its widespread system of strong roots and, in the past, leaves were boiled with goat milk to FUN FUN FACT keep it anchored. FACT help soften the arteries in people. 12 Red-leaf Fig Ficus congesta The figs of this small tree dangle from the trunk, not the branches. Native to forest edges and clearings throughout New Guinea and tropical Australia, this small tree’s new leaf growth is an eye-catching red. Made possible through the generosity of The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation In Australia, fig trees provide many birds with a food FUN source. Cassowaries, in particular, favor red-leaf fig fruit. FACT sandiegozoo.org Ficus the numbers to the plant ID signs. The tour Matchbegins by Rio 4-D Theater in Discovery Outpost, 4 Banyan 7 Lava Fig continues behind the Reptile House then along Ficus benghalensis Ficus petiolaris Front Street past Map Locators 4 to 8. One of the largest-growing trees in This species from the Pacific the world. It is said that Alexander Coast of Mexico is one of the most Velvet Fig 1 the Great rested his army of 7,000 spectacular and odd-looking ficus Ficus velutina soldiers under a single banyan in trees on Earth. They are almost India. In its native, tropical climate, always found growing on rocks, A large-growing tree of moist, upland the tree produces many aerial roots with their roots hugging the regions from Mexico to Brazil. In its that reach the ground. boulders, looking like flowing lava. native environment, orchids, mosses, and other epiphytic plants cover the branches, creating a whole ecosystem on the tree. The genus Ficus represents over 850 species of trees, The word banyan comes from banias, the word used for shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and lithophytes around the FUN Indian vendors who set up markets under these trees. FUN This species name comes from the velvety FACT FACT world, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. FUN hairs covering its leaves. FACT 2 Red-leaved Fig 5 Malagasy Rock Fig 8 Green-leaved Moreton Bay Fig Ficus ingens Ficus menabeensis Ficus watkinsiana A sprawling rock fig from many This variable ficus from This large strangler fig from the regions of Africa. It grows on Madagascar can be a shrub, tree, rain forests of eastern Australia can rocks or cliff faces in drier regions, or small rock fig depending on reach heights of up to 135 feet and becoming a forest tree in higher what environment it grows in. forms massive buttress roots. The rainfall areas. It goes through a It is nearly always associated figs are a main food source brief deciduous period, followed with rocks in the arid regions of for catbirds. by a flush of bright-red foliage. Madagascar. Many species of ficus are good for bonsai—including A lithophyte is a type of plant that grows on rocks. Ficus ingens, due to its attractive form and ease There are many lithophytic ficus, commonly called Many ripe figs on a Ficus watkinsiana turn purple and fall to FUN FUN FUN the ground where they are eaten by cassowaries. FACT of growing. FACT rock figs. FACT 3 Blueberry Fig 6 Socotran Fig 9 Highland Breadfruit Tree Ficus vacciniodes Ficus vasta Ficus dammaropsis Not all fig trees are big. In fact, Once thought to only be found This tree from the highlands many types grow as vines, shrubs, on the islands of Socotra, this of New Guinea produces giant or small plants. This sprawling, spectacular tree is native to many leaves and softball-size figs. vine-like species comes from parts of the Horn of Africa as well. It They are very hard to propagate, southern Taiwan where it grows requires very little care and minimal leading it to be a very uncommon, among boulders near the coastline. water, making it a perfect tree for spectacular plant. San Diego! Socotra, off the coast of Yemen, is often called the In Papua New Guinea, people cook the young When the figs of this species are ripe, they look like ‘Galápagos of the Indian Ocean’ because of the incredible leaves of this tree as a vegetable and serve the FUN blueberries—hence the name! FUN FUN FACT FACT biodiversity found there. FACT dish with pig meat. 10 Sweet Sandpaper Fig 13 Shiny Sandpaper Fig Ficus opposita Ficus fraseri Found throughout Malesia and in This smaller-sized tree grows near eastern Australia, this small, yet creeks and in rain forest scrublands resilient plant can grow in many in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and environments and even survive Australia. The leaves can take on occasional wildfires. Its common many forms, including having name comes from the sweet figs it lobed indentations on the margins. produces and the sandpaper-like texture of its leaves. Figs are a favorite food for a host of fruit bats. For Malesia, a region encompassing islands from Indonesia to example, this fig species is sought-after food by gray- FUN Papua New Guinea, is an area of incredible biodiversity. FUN FACT FACT headed flying foxes. 11 Riverine Fig 14 Figwood Ficus adenosperma Ficus virgata An odd rheophyte found growing Spanning Asia, Malesia, and tropical along creeks and riverbanks from northern Australia, this medium- New Guinea to Australia. These sized tree is useful to humans and trees look delicate, but they are animals alike. The bright-orange very strong and are able to survive figs are eaten by metallic starlings, yearly floods and strong currents. a threatened bird from New Guinea and Australia. A rheophyte is a type of plant that grows in fast- The sap has been used to protect against insect bites moving water. Its widespread system of strong roots and, in the past, leaves were boiled with goat milk to FUN FUN FACT keep it anchored. FACT help soften the arteries in people. 12 Red-leaf Fig Ficus congesta The figs of this small tree dangle from the trunk, not the branches. Native to forest edges and clearings throughout New Guinea and tropical Australia, this small tree’s new leaf growth is an eye-catching red. Made possible through the generosity of The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation In Australia, fig trees provide many birds with a food FUN source. Cassowaries, in particular, favor red-leaf fig fruit. FACT sandiegozoo.org Ficus.