Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Ficus altissima

Syn. Ficus latifolia

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Council Tree (English)
  • Dhop (Meghalaya)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Moraceae
30m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Ficus altissima bark

Bark

The bark is smooth and grey, with small pale brown pustules.

Ficus altissima leaves

Leaves

Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate, with entire margins usually 10–20 cm. They are carried on short stalks and have sheathing stipules. Plant starts life as an epiphyte.

Ficus altissima flower

Flower

Flowers are enclosed within globose syconia (fig receptacles) rather than being exposed externally. The receptacles are orange-yellow.

Ficus altissima fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Figs are solitary or in pairs and are in the axils of the leaves, which mature into orangish-red, many-seeded, 2.5 cm figs following pollination.

Ficus altissima

Did you know?

Known as the “Council Tree,” as its immense, umbrella-shaped canopy traditionally provided a cool, shaded gathering place for village elders and community councils.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

S. China to Tropical Asia