Garden Weekends - by Amanda Crotty
Sandpaper Fig
December 27th 2009 23:31
Ficus coronata
This bushy species grows to about 8 m and is endemic from East Gippsland, Victoria to Mackay, Queensland in dry littoral and subtropical rainforests.
It has edible fruit that grow along the branches, apparently with a sweet taste, not mine though when I tested the fruit I would describe it more dry and tasteless.
The fruit is an important part of many birds diet just one reason for growing it, this tree would also be useful in stopping erosion along creek banks as it is fast growing and has a binding root system.
The rough leaves were used by native Australians for smoothing their tools, just as sandpaper is today, hence the name.
Propergation is from seed, ripening Janurary - July; and also from cuttings.
Other species of this tree are:
F. fraseri similar to F. coronata, occurs north from Wyong, NSW. It is found throughout the rainforest, and not mainly along streams as is F. coronata.
F. platypoda (Rock Fig) this species is usually found colonising in rock crevices. It has masses of arial roots and would be excellent to provide shade in rocky shallow soils.
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