Ficus leptoclada, commonly known as Atherton fig or figwood, is a species of plant in the family Moraceae. It is native to the Wet Tropics bioregion of Queensland, Australia.

Description

Ficus leptoclada is a small tree growing to about 15m (49ft) tall, sometimes developing buttresses. The leaves are up to 14cm (5.5in) long and 5cm (2.0in) wide, and are attached to the twigs by short petioles. The leaves have 7–10 pairs of lateral veins either side of the midrib, and the leaf margins may have very small prickle-like teeth.

The figs are borne in the leaf axils, on the branches or on the trunk. They are more or less globular, with a 'beak' at the apex. They measure about 2cm (0.79in) long and 1.7cm (0.67in) wide and when ripe may be yellow, orange, red or purple.

Distribution and habitat

It is native to eastern Queensland in two separate populations. The larger group is from just south of Cooktown to the area around Townsville. A much smaller population occurs near Mackay. It inhabits rainforest on a variety of soils, at altitudes from sea level to about 1,200m (3,900ft). It is often seen in rainforest regrowth, as it is favoured by disturbance.

Ecology

Fruit of this tree are eaten by many bird species, including fruit pigeons (genus Ptilinopus) and double-eyed fig parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma), and by common blossom bats (Syconycteris australis).

Taxonomy

The species was described by English botanist George Bentham in 1873, based on material collected in Rockingham Bay by John Dallachy.

Conservation

As of February2026[update], this species has been assessed to be of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and by the Queensland Government under its Nature Conservation Act.

Gallery

  • Foliage
  • Trunk with figs
  • Fruit
  • Stipules

External links

  • of herbarium collections of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
  • of this species on iNaturalist
  • of this species on Flickriver.com