Ficus

Ficus is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of about 850 <a href="/facts/Species/oDg6b96r">species</a> of woody <a href="/facts/Tree/3q0G4cbP">trees</a>, <a href="/facts/Shrub/X1gKVxL5">shrubs</a>, <a href="/facts/Vine/3nVRIAws">vines</a>, <a href="/facts/Epiphyte/n0oUN0Yd">epiphytes</a> and <a href="/facts/Hemiepiphyte/u029uI7n">hemiepiphytes</a> in the <a href="/facts/Family_(biology)/qTrn6E8E">family</a> <a href="/facts/Moraceae/nFn8SjK7">Moraceae</a>. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the <a href="/facts/Tropics/Iv1es8Ih">tropics</a> with a few species extending into the semi-warm <a href="/facts/Temperate/6WPypCzC">temperate</a> zone. The <a href="/facts/Common_fig/vjBvExXl">common fig</a> (F. carica) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the <a href="/facts/Mediterranean/Vr2pzVbM">Mediterranean</a> region (from Afghanistan to Portugal), which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its <a href="/facts/Fruit/PBpuzk60">fruit</a>, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as <a href="/facts/Bushfood/w267RUVF">bushfood</a>. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.

Ficus open-in-new

Ficus