Distribution
|
Probably two populations: one at low altitude in the Congo basin
extending to Sierra Leone; the other at higher altitude extending from
South Africa to Uganda and Kenya. The latter population may also occur at higher
altitudes in the Congo basin, resulting in a sympatric distribution separated by
altitude and pollination biology. |
Biology
|
Pollinator:
Alfonsiella
michaloudi Wiebes (central
Africa),
Alfonsiella pipithiensis (southern & east Africa). |
Habitat
|
In lowland
rainforest (central and west African population) and afromontane forest
(southern and east African population).
|
Comments
|
As currently defined Ficus craterostoma
probably constitutes two species distinguished by disparate habitat
preference. Each population has a different pollinator species
providing further support for this contention. |
Description
|
|
|
Biological
form
|
shrub
or tree up to 10 m tall, hemi-epiphytic
|
|
Leaves
|
shape
& colour
|
subopposite,
subtriangular, (sub)coriaceous, apex truncate, base acute, both surface
glabrous
|
|
|
size
|
3-8
x 2-5 cm
|
|
|
lateral
veins
|
5-10
pairs, basal pair short, midrib not reaching the apex of the lamina
|
|
|
petiole
|
0.5-2
cm long, glabrous
|
|
Stipules
|
0.5
cm long, glabrous or white puberulous, subpersistent or caducous
|
|
Figs
|
position
|
in
pairs in the leaf axils
|
|
|
shape
|
globose
to ellipsoid, Æ
0.8-1.2 cm (fresh), glabrous or puberulous
|
|
|
peduncle
|
none,
fig sessile
|
|
|
basal
bracts
|
1-1.5
mm long, persistent
|
|
References
|
Berg,
C.C. 1988. New taxa and combinations in Ficus (Moraceae) in
Africa. Kew Bulletin 43: 77- 97.
Berg,
C.C. 1989. Moraceae. In: R.M. Polhill (ed.) Flora of Tropical East Africa.
A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam.
Berg,
C.C. 1990. Distribution of African taxa of Ficus (Moraccae).
[Proc. 12th AETFAT]. Mitt. inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 23: 401-405.
Berg, C.C. 1990. Annotated check-list of the Ficus species
of the African floristic region, with special reference and a key to the
taxa of southern Africa. Kirkia, 13: 253-291.
Berg,
C.C. 1991. Moraceae. In: E. Launert & G.Y. Pope (eds) Flora
Zambesiaca 9, 6. Natural History Museum, London.
Berg, C.C. & Hijman, M.E.E. 1989. Chapter 11. Ficus. Flora of
Tropical East Africa (ed. R.M. Polhill). 43-86. A.A. Balkema,
Rotterdam.
Berg,
C.C., Hijman, M.E.E. & Weerdenburg, J.C.A. 1984. Moracées (incl.
Cécropiacées). Flore du Gabon 26: 1–276.
Berg,
C.C., Hijman, M.E.E. & Weerdenburg, J.C.A. 1985. Moracées (incl.
Cécropiacées). Flore du Cameroun 28: 1–298.
Berg, C.C. & Wiebes, J.T. 1992. African fig trees and
fig wasps. Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen.
Amsterdam, 1-298 pp.
Bouček Z., A. Watsham & J.T. Wiebes, 1981. The fig wasp
fauna of the receptacles of Ficus thonningii (Hymenoptera,
Chalcidoidea). Tijdschrift Voor Entomologie, 124(5): 149-233.
Burrows, J. & Burrows,
S. 2003. Figs of southern & south-central Africa. Umdaus Press,
Hatfield. 379 pp.
|
Credits
|
Photographs
and
distribution map
©
Jean-Yves Rasplus or
© Simon van Noort (Iziko Museums of South Africa). |
 |
Ficus faulkneriana
C.C. Berg |
|
