The Moreton Bay Fig ( Ficus macrophylla ) is a large evergreen tree, with a large canopy; that is native to the eastern parts of Australia. It is hugely popular as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens for its large shade canopy and fantastic trunk, with large supportive roots that spread out along the ground. These roots help to support the weight of the tree and also aid in nutrient collection. These elements along with their thick, typically Ficus type leaves make this species a popular bonsai specimen.
This tree is native to eastern subtropical regions of New South Wales and south east Queensland. It gets its common name from Moreton Bay in Queensland. This species will tolerate temperate climates as long as temperatures do not go much below zero. It can be grown in a pot either indoors or outdoors and kept at an acceptable size. However is not suitable for outdoor growing in a standard sized yard.
Other common names for the Moreton Bay Fig are the Australian Banyan; Black Fig and the Lord Howe Island Banyan.
Growth
As a larger tree the Ficus macrophylla can reach an average height of approximately 40 metres, with up to a 50 metre canopy. They have been known to grow up to 60 metres in height. Their is not a lot of information recorded in regards to how large the buttress roots can get above ground but we have measured a specimen in NSW that had roots along the ground that were almost 10 metres in length. The leaves are green and oval in shape, growing up to approximately 20-30 cm in length. Fruit grows to around 2.5 cm in diameter and although edible are not very palatable.
Don’t be put off growing the Ficus macrophylla just because of its huge size, it is easily kept at any size required in a pot or with pruning. We don’t recommend attempting to grow this species to a full size tree unless you live on acreage and have the room; like many other large Ficus species it can damage footpaths and other structures if planted too close.
FAMILY:
Moraceae
CLIMATE:
Warm Temperate – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
3°C to 38°C / 37 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types, growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Part Shade while young, hardening off to full sun with age.
HEIGHT:
Average of up to 40 metres (130 feet)
WIDTH:
Average of up to 50 metres (165 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by fig wasps, Monoecious.
MATURITY:
3-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
65-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but quite dry.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT FICUS MACROPHYLLA (Moreton Bay Fig)
The Moreton Bay Fig is a source of food for many of our native Australian bird and mammal species.
Ficus macrophylla can live to approximately 100 years old and has been planted as an ornamental tree in many countries.
The species is also called a Strangler Fig due to its nature of attaching itself to host plants and eventually killing them. Strangler fig seeds can germinate in the branches of other species and will send down aerial roots from up in these trees, Eventually they steal all the food and nutrients from the host tree, killing the host and taking over the land it once possessed.
