Biology:Ficus cordata
| Namaqua rock fig | |
|---|---|
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| In the Fish River Canyon, Namibia | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F. subg. Urostigma |
| Species: | F. cordata
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| Binomial name | |
| Ficus cordata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Ficus cordata, the Namaqua rock fig[1] or Namaqua fig,[3] is a species of fig native to southwestern and west-central Africa.[2] In the south it is often the largest and most prominent tree,[4] and is virtually restricted to cliff faces and rock outcrops,[5] where it has a rock-splitting habit.[6]
Taxonomy
The species was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1786.[2] Two subspecies were formerly recognized:
- F. c. cordata – southwestern Africa
- F. c. lecardii (Warb.) C.C.Berg – Senegal to central Africa[7]
Subspecies lecardii is now recognized as a distinct species, Ficus lecardii.[8]
Range and habitat
Ficus cordata is native to arid western South Africa, Namibia, southwestern Angola,[5] Botswana, and Cameroon.[2] It is found in fynbos, succulent Karoo, and Nama Karoo.[5]
Species associations
The species is pollinated by the wasp Platyscapa desertorum Compton. The wasp Comptoniella vannoorti Wiebes is an associated non-pollinator that oviposits through the fig wall.[5]
Similar species
F. salicifolia,[9] the Wonderboom, is sometimes deemed a third subspecies of Ficus cordata, i.e. F. c. subsp. salicifolia (Vahl) C.C.Berg, but it lacks the yellowish sessile figs of F. cordata, and its range is much to the east.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2020). "Ficus cordata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T138393349A146447809.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/138393349/146447809. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Ficus cordata Thunb." (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/852662-1.
- ↑ "Ficus cordata". SA National Biodiversity Institute. http://pza.sanbi.org/ficus-cordata.
- ↑ Moll, Eugene (2013). Watter Boom is dit?. ISBN 978-1-77007-832-1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Van Noort, S., Rasplus, J.. "Ficus cordata cordata Thunberg 1786". Iziko Museums. http://www.figweb.org/Ficus/Subgenus_Urostigma/Section_Urostigma/Subsection_Urostigma/Ficus_cordata_cordata.htm.
- ↑ Burring, Jan. "Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq.". SANBI. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/ficusabuti.htm.
- ↑ Van Noort, S., Rasplus, J.. "Ficus cordata lecardii (Warburg) C.C. Berg 1988". Iziko Museums. http://www.figweb.org/Ficus/Subgenus_Urostigma/Section_Urostigma/Subsection_Urostigma/Ficus_cordata_lecardii.htm.
- ↑ "Ficus lecardii Warb." (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/853104-1.
- ↑ "Ficus salicifolia Vahl". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-2812165.
Wikidata ☰ Q15261017 entry
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