Ficus rubiginosa
Common name
Port Jackson fig
Family
Moraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial. Rock walls, firm rocky outcrops. Phoenix palm trunks
Detailed description
Evergreen small to large tree often starting life as an epiphyte. Leaves smooth above, densely clothed in fine reddish hairs below, oval, 4-12 cm long. Fruit yellow to dull red to 20 mm wide.
Similar taxa
Can be distinguished from Morton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla) by the smaller, hairy leaves, and smaller fruit.
Flowering
December, January, February
Life cycle
Perennial. Reproduces from seed. Some layering and resprouting from aerial roots may occur. Dispersed by birds.
Year naturalised
1981
Origin
NSW, Queensland
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Etymology
ficus: The Latin name for fig tree, possibly derived from the Hebrew word fag
rubiginosa: Rust-coloured
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.