The Council tree (Ficus Altissima) is a large leaf "fig" that is sometimes used as an indoor potted tree species. It is not nearly as common however as its close relatives the
Rubber tree, the
Fiddle Leaf Fig, the
Ficus Benjamina, the
Sacred Fig or the
Edible Fig. The leaves of the Council tree are quite large measuring about 10-12 inches in length and 5-6 inches in width. They have a simple elliptical shape and pronounced pinnate veins that have about an eighth inch relief on the reverse side and are alternate.
The "Fig" of the council tree is almost as large as a normal edible fig but with a more rounded, oblong shape. The fruit color ranges from yellow to orange to almost red and they present a series of "spots" as you can see in the image below. These figs measure about 1-1.3 inches in length. I cut one of the figs open to get a picture of the inner detail. It was quite a bit harder and more difficult to cut than an edible fig but the smell was similar. I do not know whether these figs are edible or not and while tempted I refrained from giving one a bite.
The light grey bark was similar to some other "
Banyan trees" but I did not see any evidence of "prop-roots" although the tree here photographed may have been too young still to have this feature. These trees have been planted in several parks and avenues in Malaga, Spain but are not common. The tallest ones that I have seen are about 35 feet tall.
The Council tree (Ficus Altissima) is a large leaf "fig" that is sometimes used as an indoor potted tree species. It is not nearly as common however as its close relatives the Rubber tree, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, the Ficus Benjamina, the Sacred Fig or the Edible Fig. The leaves of the Council tree are quite large measuring about 10-12 inches in length and 5-6 inches in width. They have a simple elliptical shape and pronounced pinnate veins that have about an eighth inch relief on the reverse side and are alternate.
The "Fig" of the council tree is almost as large as a normal edible fig but with a more rounded, oblong shape. The fruit color ranges from yellow to orange to almost red and they present a series of "spots" as you can see in the image below. These figs measure about 1-1.3 inches in length. I cut one of the figs open to get a picture of the inner detail. It was quite a bit harder and more difficult to cut than an edible fig but the smell was similar. I do not know whether these figs are edible or not and while tempted I refrained from giving one a bite.
The light grey bark was similar to some other "Banyan trees" but I did not see any evidence of "prop-roots" although the tree here photographed may have been too young still to have this feature. These trees have been planted in several parks and avenues in Malaga, Spain but are not common. The tallest ones that I have seen are about 35 feet tall.
I've never seen a fig tree before. What a marvelous post and photos.
ReplyDeleteJJ :D
There is a good established specimen in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, alog with many other native and exotic species of Ficus.
ReplyDeleteAcording to the label, the natural distribution of this species is NE India,
S China, Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia and The Philippines.
It's a beautiful clean looking tree.
All species of figs have 'edible' fruit although few are palatable to humans.
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