It thrives in deep, moist, fertile soils and is typically found in areas with rainfall between 1000 -1700 mm. It can adapt to coastal sands with rainfall around 700 mm. It is commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical rainforests of eastern Australia and New Guinea. It prefers altitudes suitable for the growth of rainforests.
Common name: Moreton Bay fig
The Ficus macrophylla, also known as the Moreton Bay fig, is a tall and evergreen forest tree found in the tropical and sub-tropical rainforests of eastern Australia and New Guinea. It has a wide buttressed trunk and can spread twice as wide as its height. This tree prefers deep, moist, fertile soil and produces variable fruits that can resemble those of Ficus carica. However, its extensive root system can cause damage to paths, roads, drains, fences, and buildings.
Ficus macrophylla
Australia
- The Moreton Bay fig is known for its large, spreading canopy and buttressed trunk. - It thrives in deep, moist, fertile soil and can tolerate rainfall between 1000-1700 mm. - In Western Australia, it has been successfully grown in coastal sands with rainfall around 700 mm. - Moreton Bay figs were once popular as park and street trees in Perth, but their extensive root system caused damage to infrastructure. - The fruit of the Moreton Bay fig is variable in size and flavor, sometimes resembling the common fig (Ficus carica). - Australian Aborigines used the bark fibers of this tree to make strings for dilly bags and fishing nets. - The timber of the Moreton Bay fig has an open grain, is easy to work with, and has a mild sheen similar to cedar.
It prefers a deep, moist, fertile, alluvial soil in rainfalls between 1000 - 1700 mm.
A tall (to 50 m), evergreen forest tree of the tropical and sub - tropical rainforests of eastern Australia and also New Guinea. Given the space, it is a spreading tree often twice as wide as it is tall, with a wide buttressed trunk.
It prefers a deep, moist, fertile, alluvial soil in rainfalls between 1000 -1700 mm. It has been planted and grows very well in coastal sands in Western Australia almost right to the sea in rainfalls around 700 mm. Moreton Bay figs were planted extensively around Perth as park trees and also as street trees but have fallen into disfavour for the latter because their root system destroys paths, roads, drains, fences and buildings.
The fruit is very variable but in some individuals, can be outstanding in size and flavour and quite reminiscent of Ficus carica. The Australian Aborigines made a string from the bark fibres which they used to manufacture dilly bags and fishing nets. The timber is open grained, easily worked and dresses with a mild sheen reminiscent of cedar.