Wasa fig tree
A tropical plant. It occurs in areas of re-growth. In Papua New Guinea it grows in lowland areas and up to 1,300 m altitude or higher. In PNG it has been recorded to 2,500 m. In Solomon Islands it grows up to 1,400 m altitude. In Vanuatu it grows up to 800 m altitude.
Also known as:
Amiki, Amusi kilikacha, Gaegale, Ghaapoli mongi, Huhula, Igula, Kamwa kamwa, Mimo, Ngo'ongo'o, Nonali mato, Pakopako, Pohon ara nangananga, Pohon ara wasa, Tivanono
Synonyms
- Ficus portus-finschii Warb.
- and others
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Fruit
Where does Wasa fig tree grow?
Found in: Asia, East Timor, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu
Notes: There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America. The leaves stimulate milk production.
Status: A commonly used edible leaf in Papua New Guinea.
Growing Wasa fig tree
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Edible Uses: The leaves are eaten cooked. The fruit are also cooked with the young leaves.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Wasa fig tree Photos
References
Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 108
Cowie, I, 2006, A Survey of Flora and vegetation of the proposed Jaco-Tutuala-Lore National Park. Timor-Lests (East Timor) www.territorystories.nt/gov.au p 51
French, B.R., 2010, Food Plants of Solomon Islands. A Compendium. Food Plants International Inc. p 87
Henderson, C.P. and I.R.Hancock, 1988, A Guide to the Useful Plants of the Solomon Islands. Res. Dept. Min of Ag. & Lands. Honiara, Solomon Islands. p 125
Lebot, V. & Sam, C., Green desert or ‘all you can eat’? How diverse and edible was the flora of Vanuatu before human introductions?. Terra australis 52 p 408
Powell, J.M., Ethnobotany. In Paijmans, K., 1976, New Guinea Vegetation. Australian National University Press. p 110
Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 44
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 292
Thaman, R. and W. Clarke, Paper on Agroforestry on Aneityum and Tanna, Vanuatu from Internet
Walter, A. & Sam C., 2002, Fruits of Oceania. ACIAR Monograph No. 85. Canberra. p 165
Wiriadinata, H., 1995, Ethnobotany of Economic Plants in the Baliem Valley, Jayawijaya, Irian Jaya, Indonesian Institute of Science, Bogor, Indonesia
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew