The broom cluster fig is a key element in the environment
providing medicine, food, shade and shelter for all nature of animals,
large and small. This majestic giant stands proud alongside rivers
and waterways throughout the eastern and northern regions of southern
Ficus sur is a large, fast-growing, evergreen tree, reaching
up to 35 m high, with large, oval, green leaves borne on a massive,
spreading crown. Figs are produced from September to March (South
Africa) they are borne in large clusters mostly low down on the
trunk and can even appear at ground level arising from the roots.
This species is widely distributed from North Africa to Western
Cape in South Africa. It is usually found on riverbanks or in riverine
forest but can also be found in drier woodlands. It is restricted
to frost-free areas with moderate rainfall.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Ficus is the Latin name for the cultivated fig; sur
from an area in Ethiopia named Sur.
Figs form a large and widespread group of mostly trees across the
warm temperate regions to the tropics. Most notable is the common
cultivated fig (Ficus carica) which is referred to in the
Bible. All South African figs are edible, although they are not
all palatable and are often infested with insects and larvae. Characteristic
of all figs is the copious white latex, which is secreted from any
damaged part of the plant.
This interesting group of trees contains members who have different
methods of survival. In the group known as strangler figs, a seed
germinates in the leaf litter accumulated in another tree, usually
in the axis between two branches. The fig sapling develops roots
down the trunk of the host tree until reaching the ground. Once
the roots enter the ground the fig grows aggressively and strangles
its host, eventually causing its demise and occupying its place
in the forest.
Another group known as rock splitters are highly adept at germinating
in tiny cracks or fissures in inhospitable rock faces and cliffs.
They exert tremendous hydraulic pressure with their roots splitting
the rocks apart to make space for their expanding and aggressive
Many different and interesting features can be found in the genus
Ficus: a riverine fig from Mozambique, F. cyathistipua,
has a thick, buoyant layer surrounding the fig, which enables the
figs to float downstream, thus facilitating dispersal; the swamp
fig, F. trichopoda, which grows in swampy conditions, elevates
its trunk out of the swampy environment by developing prop roots,
which extend well above the marshy substrate; the banyan fig,
F. benghalensis, is noted for its ability to send down aerial
roots from the branches which, when touching the ground, thicken
considerably to form thick trunk-like props to support the weight
of the heavy branches. This fig is also regarded as sacred by certain
Middle Eastern religions and spiritual rituals are performed under
Reproduction in the fig family is interesting in that the fig we
know and eat is not a fruit but rather an inside-out flower stalk
(syconium) containing many flowers inside the fruit-like structure.
It is a closed structure with only a small opening at one end through
which a small female wasp enters and lays her eggs in special infertile
flowers, while inadvertently pollinating the fertile flowers and
gathering pollen in special sacs. She then leaves through the opening
again and carries the pollen to another fig. It is also very interesting
that each species of fig has its own specific species of wasp that
The seed is small and swallowed together with the fruit by the many
birds and mammals which greedily consume it. It is then passed in
the faeces normally some distance away from the parent tree, effectively
distributing the species further afield.
Uses and cultural aspects
The relatively large figs of the broom cluster fig are produced
around September and ripen around December and are readily eaten
by local people when they turn pinkish and soft. Fig jam (or preserve)
can also be made from the fruits. Local people claim that the fruits
which form on the roots are the sweetest. The wood is used as a
base by bushmen as part of the equipment necessary when igniting
fire by friction. The wood of the broom cluster fig is soft and
white and has been used for making mortars for grinding flour as
well as making drums. It's soft texture made it ideal for the making
of brake blocks and bed boards for ox wagons. In modern times this
tree is used most extensively as a shade tree. It is believed to
have magical powers and is used in many rituals by local people.
The inner bark is used to make rope while lung and throat problems
are treated using the milky latex found in live growth. The milky
latex is also administered to cows with poor milk production. The
tree is also used as a magical cure for boils. The root of the tree
is reportedly used to assist when a cow retains part of the placenta
after giving birth.
Growing Ficus sur
with most figs it is inadvisable to plant the broom cluster fig
near buildings, paving, sewer lines or walls as they may damage
them with their aggressive root system. It is important to bear
in mind that this is a large tree and needs a lot of space and is
therefore not suited to limited spaces. The broom cluster fig is
ideally suited to large estates such as golf courses and parklands.
The tree is fast growing and enjoys plenty of water and full sun,
however it is a forest species and therefore can tolerate partial
shade especially when the trees are young.
Due to its popularity with birds and insects the broom cluster
fig is the ideal tree for the wildlife garden. When the figs are
ripe it is reminiscent of a bird-feeding table as all nature of
fruit-eating creatures scramble in a mad frenzy to obtain their
share of the sweet bounty produced by the tree. Fruit bats are particularly
fond of the figs and even some insectivorous birds such as the Puffback
shrike reportedly take the fruit. Elephants also sometimes eat the
leaves and twigs.
The seed can be obtained by cleaning it away from the fruity part
of the fig, this can then be sown on a fine medium and not covered.
The seed germinates quickly and seedlings can be transplanted once
they are a few centimetres high. Once planted into larger containers
the saplings grow fast and may stand about 1 m or more after their
second year of growth at which time they may be planted out into
open ground in frost-free areas. In areas with light frost it is
best to allow saplings to attain a height of 2 m plus in the nursery
before planting out after which they should be protected from frost
in the first or even second year or until they are large enough
to withstand it. The broom cluster fig will not tolerate moderate
or severe frost.
Cuttings and truncheons can also be rooted with relative ease,
these should be taken in the spring and rooted in sharp sand. Mature
trees of considerable size have been transplanted with success,
although large trees inevitably have to be severely pruned to facilitate
transplanting, often scarring them for life. In such cases it is
probably better to plant young trees, which will grow fast and make
more beautiful, mature specimens.
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Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden