Ficus sycomorus L.
subsp. gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) C.C. Berg

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (2)

Ficus sycomorus subsp. gnaphalocarpa

Photo: Bart Wursten
Osborne Dam Recreational Park

Ficus sycomorus subsp. gnaphalocarpa

Photo: Bart Wursten
Osborne Dam Recreational Park

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) A. Rich.
Common names: Large-fruited sycamore fig (English) Mukuyu (Shona) Mukuyukono (Shona) Muonde (Shona) Musvunguzu (Shona) Mutsvita (Shona) Umkhiwa (Ndebele)
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
See subsp. sycomorus for general description. This subspecies differs considerably. It is a generally smaller tree without the thick, butressed trunk; fruits are borne singly in the axils of the leaves and are generally larger, up to c. 4.5 cm in diameter, ripening to orange-green. It also prefers a different habitat, generally being found in hilly woodland areas of higher rainfall and altitudes, usually away from rivers or floodplains.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: gnaphalocarpa: appears to refer to the fruits being like those of a Gnaphalium, a genus of herbs in Asteraceae. The reason, however is obscure.
Habitat: Generally being found in hilly woodland areas of higher rainfall and altitude than subsp. sycomorus
Altitude range: (metres) Up to 1700 m
Flowering time:May - Oct
Worldwide distribution: From Senegal to Ethiopia, down to Namibia and the northern Cape and Limpopo, South Africa
Zimbabwe distribution: N,C,E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Thursday 18 June 2009
Literature:

Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2003). Figs of Southern and South-Central Africa Umdaus Press, South Africa Pages 63 - 66. (Includes a picture).

Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 77. (Includes a picture).

Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 150.

Coates Palgrave, M. (1989). Guide to the trees and shrubs of the Mukuvisi Woodlands ?publisher. Page 15. As ficus sycomorus

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 63.


Other sources of information about Ficus sycomorus subsp. gnaphalocarpa:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Ficus sycomorus subsp. gnaphalocarpa

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Ficus sycomorus
African Plant Database: Ficus sycomorus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Ficus sycomorus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Ficus sycomorus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Ficus sycomorus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Ficus sycomorus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Ficus sycomorus
JSTOR Plant Science: Ficus sycomorus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Ficus sycomorus
Plants of the World Online: Ficus sycomorus
Tropicos: Ficus sycomorus
Wikipedia: Ficus sycomorus


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Ficus sycomorus subsp. gnaphalocarpa.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=164700, retrieved 28 March 2024

Site software last modified: 26 March 2018 2:01pm (GMT +2)
Terms of use