Dictionary > Ficus

Ficus

Definition
noun
A pan-tropical genus of trees, shrubs, or vines belonging to the taxonomic family Moraceae
Supplement
Moraceae is a taxonomic family of the order Rosales of the kingdom Plantae. It is also called the mulberry family or the fig family. There are five tribes of the family Moraceae: (1) Artocarpeae, (2) Castilleae, (3) Dorstenieae, (4) Ficaea, and (5) Moreae. They are primarily characterized by the presence of lacticifers (i.e. an elongated secretory cell in leaves and stems of plants producing latex and rubber) and milky sap in parenchymatous tissues.
The tribe Ficaea includes only one genus, i.e. Ficus. This genus is characterized by having large, thick, or stiff leaves. Many of them are evergreen. Members of this genus are characterized by their unique inflorescence and pollination system (i.e. involving a specific wasp species (i.e. fig wasp of the family Agaonidaeas pollinators). Many of them produce aerial roots. Their fruit is an enclosed inflorescence (i.e. syconium). All figs possess a white to yellowish latex.
There are about 800 species belonging to this genus. Examples are F. carica (known as the common fig), F. indica (commonly known as the banyan tree), F. religiosa (also known as the peepul tree), F. elastica (commonly known as the India rubber tree).
They are ecologically and economically important as food such as F. carica fruit that are commercially available for human consumption.
Word origin: Latin fīcus ‎(“fig”)
Scientific classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Order: Rosales
  • Family: Moraceae
  • Tribe: Ficeae
  • Genus: Ficus

See also:

  • fig
  • Moraceae


  • You will also like...

    Developmental Biology
    Developmental Biology

    Developmental biology is a biological science that is primarily concerned with how a living thing grows and attains matu..

    Pink Lotus plant on a pond
    Freshwater Lentic Communities & Animals

    This tutorial looks at some of the communities in freshwater lentic habitats. For instance, symbiosis occurs in a commun..

    human brain structure
    The Conscious & Unconscious Nervous System

    This tutorial elaborates on how the nervous system works, particularly at the tissue level of the brain. There are three..

    Freshwater lake ecosystem
    Freshwater Producers and Consumers

    Freshwater ecosystem is comprised of four major constituents, namely elements and compounds, plants, consumers, and deco..

    takahē
    Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

    Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..

    Adaptive Radiation
    Adaptive Radiation

    The diversification of several new species from a recent ancestral source, each adapted to utilize or occupy a vacant ad..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics