The Cluster Fig ( Ficus racemosa ) is a deciduous fig tree, that is native to tropical parts of Asia and Australia. The tree is small-medium sized and is recognisable by its method of fruit production. Its fruit is borne on stems that protrude out of its truck in large clusters, often giving the appearance that the fruit is growing on the trunk itself. The fruit also grows off its branches and is edible and sweet, although doesn’t have much flavour otherwise.
Like many Ficus species, the Ficus racemosa has a buttressing roots and will grow as both an understorey or canopy tree, in either part shade or full sun. Although native to tropical areas in will grow outdoors happily in sub-tropical regions and can be grown in pots and over winter indoors in cooler climates. Ficus do well in pots and don’t seem to mind being a bit root bound. The Cluster Fig is also a great species for bonsai growing.
Ficus Racmosa has religious meaning and value i both Buddhism and Hinduism. Other common names are River Red Fig; Country Fig; Udumbara; Goolar Fig; Umbar and Gular.
Growth
The Ficus racemosa is quite fast growing and gets on average anywhere between 10-20 metres tall with a similar sized width, however can reach heights of 30 metres in some situations. Most Ficus species will grow taller in forest situations where they are attempting to become a canopy tree and reach for sunlight, however seem to stay much shorter when grown in the open; where there is no competition for light. The trunk is thick and can grow up to 3 metres in diameter with buttressing roots (above ground roots) as mentioned above.
The Cluster Fig is a deciduous tree in some drier environmental conditions but can also be semi-evergreen. If it loses its leaves it is for a very short period during winter and is often growing new leaves before the last have dropped. This species does not develop aerial roots from germination in other tree species and is not a strangler fig. Leaves are green and grow between 7-20 cm’s in length and the edible fruit averages around 2.5 cm’s and changes from unripe green to red.
The Cluster Fig can be grown as an indoor potted plant in colder regions and can easily be kept at a small size with pruning. This species will not produce fruit indoors or in cooler climates where its correlating pollinating wasp is not native.
FAMILY:
Moraceae
CLIMATE:
Warm Temperate – Tropical. This species can be kept as a potted plant that is moved indoors over winter in cooler climates.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0°C to 36°C / 37 to 97°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types, growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
10 to 30 metres (32-98 feet)
WIDTH:
10 to 30 metres (32-98 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous to semi-evergreen. Fast growing.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by fig wasps, Monoecious.
MATURITY:
3-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
32-78%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 300
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes, used in traditional native medicine.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but not commonly eaten and not cultivated for this purpose.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT FICUS RACEMOSA (Cluster Fig)
The Cluster Fig is a source of food for many of our native Australian bird and mammal species in the areas it grows naturally.
Ficus racemosa are often used as root stock for the common edible fig trees; Ficus carica.
The Ficus racemosa has been used in traditional medicine in some cultures. Some parts of the plant are said to aid win the treatment of tonsillitis; some urinary conditions and wound care.
This species is helpful in agroforestry; for land stabilisation.
