simnia,

Hopefully someone will respond but this forum is predominately focused on ficus carica.

Vinnie

Well, if it tastes good then it is edible (unless proven unhealthy).

Thanks for the responses.

In the Name that Plant forum a lady wrote in to say a guy at work got sick from eating "figs" from Ficus pumila that a coworker brought into work. I'd always read that those weren't "edible" but I didn't know if that meant they were outright poisonous or just made people sick. Now I know, and that was also a warning not to assume that any Ficus fruit is edible, even if most species are.

Yes, I saw the header for this forum saying it was about Ficus, so I didn't know the forum was limited to the edible fig.

Although many poisonous plants and substances reportedly taste bad (a bitter taste is common), not all bitter organic substances are poisonous (coffee, chocolate, bitter melon, etc.). Conversely, some poisonous compounds reportedly have a pleasant taste (Ethylene glycol, used in antifreeze, is notorious for poisoning pets, who sample it and like its sweet taste.). In a recent case in Central America, ethylene glycol was substituted for glycerine, a sweetener in the manufacture of cough syrup. Hundreds of children were subsequently poisoned. If one is not certain whether a plant or fruit is edible, then "discretion is the better part of valor". Fortunately, we have resources at our fingertips today to usually discern quickly whether a fruit or plant is safe to eat. Just be very sure that you have properly identified the plant!

Gardening Australia - Fact Sheet: Fig Trees 7/31/2017 Gardening Australia - Fact Sheet: Fig Trees

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s3012335.htm 1/2

Fact Sheet: Fig Trees

Clarence Slockee profiles fig trees in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens

Presenter: Clarence Slockee, 18/09/2010

SERIES 21 Episode 30

Worldwide, there are 750 species of Ficus and about 45 native species in Australia. Figs are unique in that the

flower is enclosed inside the fruit. If you break a fig open you will notice hundreds of florets. These tiny flowers

need to be pollinated and figs have developed a unique relationship with particular species of wasps.

Figs are only pollinated by fig wasps and they, in turn, can only reproduce inside fig flowers. For most species

of fig there is only one species of wasp that will pollinate it. When the female wasp has been impregnated by the

male she flies off to another fig tree, carrying pollen from the original fruit.

An interesting adaptation of fig trees is the aerial roots. Fig trees often grow in nutritionally-depleted soil, or

begin their life by germinating in rocky crevices. Aerial roots grow down from branches and take up nutrients

and moisture from the air. Eventually the roots grow into the ground. They thicken up and become what is

commonly called 'buttress' roots. These strong aerial roots support the branches. Clarence says, "They make for

some amazing structures and shapes."

Some species of fig trees can grow so large it can appear as though one tree is many. The Moreton Bay fig

(Ficus macrophylla) - native to parts of Australia and Lord Howe Island, is one such species and Clarence says,

"There was an old tree on Lord Howe Island that covered an area of over one hectare."

The seeds of most fig trees need to find a host where they can germinate. Sometimes this is in a rocky crevice or

wall, and sometimes it's on another tree. Clarence finds a strangler fig that has germinated about half-way up a

melaleuca tree. The strangler fig is taking over the melaleuca which will eventually die.

An endemic Sydney species is the Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa). It takes its name from the old European

name for Sydney Harbour. Clarence says, "The old Aboriginal name, Birra Birra, is a little bit different. The fruit

is ruby red. It's not bad, if you want to eat it, but it's not my favourite!"

Clarence's favourite fig is Ficus coronata - the Sandpaper Fig - which takes its name from the leaves that are

rough and can be used as sandpaper. Clarence is more interested in the fruit. "It's my favourite tasting native fig.

7/31/2017 Gardening Australia - Fact Sheet: Fig Trees

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s3012335.htm 2/2

All native figs are edible but this is the most palatable, very sweet.

"Native figs are majestic trees and some of them will get quite big. If you've only got a little bit of space at

home, maybe you want to try a bonsai ficus!"

Information contained in this fact sheet is a summary of material included in the program. If further information

is required, please contact your local nursery or garden centre.

Copyright Restrictions: This fact sheet is for private and domestic information purposes only. It may not be

copied, reproduced, sold or used for any other purpose without the express permission of the ABC.