Ficus nitida Thunberg.

Spice Fruit In the University

Family: MORACEAE

Genus: Ficus

Spanish common name: Laurel de Indias.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Asia

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Garden plants. Gardens.

Description: A corpulent tree; it has a broad, leafy crown. It has a thick trunk, grey bark and often superficial roots. The leaves are oval-eliptical leaves 11 x 6 cm, have a coriaceous texture and shiny green, glabrous surface. The petiole is 0.8 cm long and slightly grooved. It has sessile, axillary fruits which are semi spherical, 0.8-1 cm in diameter, and purple when ripe, although they are frequently smaller and yellowish-green.

Observations: This species has a certain morphological variability, which is why a few varieties have been recognised.