It is found in tropical forests and grassy woodlands, and occurs in higher densities within well-watered, temperate upland habitats.[4] It is absent or outnumbered at lower, warmer climates by the similarly cauliflorous species, Ficus sycomorus. In cooler climates it is a coastal tree, and in warmer interior climates may be found up to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) in elevation.[1][3][5]
Over its extensive range it is variable with respect to leaf shape, texture of the leaves and figs, deciduousness and overall size.[1]
Ficus sur is a fast-growing, deciduous or evergreen tree.[6] It usually grows from 5–12 metres (16–39 ft) in height, but may attain a height of 35–40 metres (115–131 ft).[3][4][7] Large specimens develop a massive spreading crown,[7] fluted trunks, and buttress roots.[6][5]
The large, alternate and spirally arranged leaves are ovate to elliptic with irregularly serrated margins.[5] Fresh foliage is a conspicuous red colour and the papery, 1 cm long stipules are soon dropped.[4] The bark of younger trees is smooth and pale greyish-white in colour, in contrast to the flaky, yellow bark of F. sycomorus. With increasing age the bark becomes darker and rough.[6]
The figs are carried on short or long drooping spurs (orfascicles) which may emerge from surface roots, the trunk or especially from lower main branches.[1][4][7] The figs are 2–4 cm in diameter[1][8] and acquire a rosy, speckled exterior when ripe.
The fig seeds are dispersed after passing through the intestinal tracts of birds, bats, and primates.[7][8]
The figs are edible and utilized in fresh or dried form by native people in many regions. They are also suited to preparation of fig preserve,[7] if other suitable fruit are added.[4]
The heavily clustered figs suggest fecundity, and some trees in East Africa have been venerated as sacred shrines in animist practices.[4]
The wood is light and soft, and is not much used commercially.
All parts may exude a latex, which has some traditional medicinal plant uses.[4] The latex has been shown to contain ursene and oleanane triterpenoids,[12] of which the latter may be effective in cancer treatment,[13] while a methanolic extract from the roots is potentially effective against chloroquine-resistant malaria.[13]
^ abcVon Breitenbach, F. (1985). Southern Cape Tree Guide. Pretoria: Dept. of Environment Affairs: Forestry. ISBN0-621-09741-1.
^ abcdeHankey, Andrew (2003). "Ficus sur". Plants of SA. PlantZAfrica.com. Retrieved 31 December 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Feleke, Sisay; Brehane, Abeba (2005). "Triterpene compounds from the latex of Ficus sur I.". Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia. 19 (2): 307–310. ISSN1011-3924.
^ abLansky, E.P., Paavilainen, H.M. (2011). Figs: The Genus Ficus. CRC Press. pp. 222, 230, 298. ISBN978-1-4200-8967-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^The presence of two stamens per flower, rather than one, was found to be an inconsistent characteristic, see: Aweke, Getachew (1979). "A Revision of the Genus Ficus in Ethiopia". Meded. Landb. Wag. 793 (66).
^A subtropical form with shaggy figs that ranges from Tanzania to northern South Africa, cf. Berg, C.C. (1991) and Palmer, Eve (1977). A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. London, Johannesburg: Collins. pp. 91–92. ISBN0-620-05468-9.
^The etymology of the specific name is unclear. It may be of Arabic origin and suggest Sur, Oman, where it is not native.
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