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16-12-2008, 09:09 PM
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Morton Bay fig
On 16 Dec, 17:44, Sacha wrote:
On 16/12/08 04:48, in article , "Dave Poole" wrote: On Dec 16, 2:40*am, Sacha wrote: Nice to be home but returning with a query. *In a small public park in Devonport near Auckland, NZ, we saw a tree that is entirely new to us called (I think) Morton Bay fig. *This seems to be Ficus macrophylla but is this the same tree? *Can any Kiwis confirm that ID? *We were told it's ornamental and the fruit is eaten only by monkeys in its original home of.....?! *The leaves look similar to some form of Magnolia and Ray heard someone tell his friends that's what it is - but it isn't. *Is it? *;-)) -- Sachahttp://www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon (new website online) Good to see you back, hope you both had a great time. *The Moreton Bay fig is widespread throughout Australasia and can develop into a huge banyan, with roots growing down from the branches and developing into supporting, trunk-like, 'stilt roots' in time. *The foliage of adult trees is somewhat similar in shape to that of evergreen magnolias, but is deep glossy green with paler green undersides and the typical ficus bud sheath is present at all shoot tips. *In cooler climates, it does not achieve the massive proportions of those growing in N. Queensland and the Northern Territories, but it can still become an impressive tree. *I understand it is also grown in S. California, although as a 'street tree' it can cause problems. Thanks for the welcome and the info, David. *The holiday was just brilliant! But these trees were huge, very old and with massive root systems as well as the aerial roots you describe. *The latter had been guided into protective pipes to keep them safe from those who might be tempted to swing on them. It makes a very handsome 'pot plant' in this country and was widely offered here during the 1970s. *It proved to be a better behaved 'rubber plant' than the more conventional Ficus elastica, branching readily and developing into a more balanced specimen. *For some reason it didn't 'catch on' and had all but disappeared by the early 1980s. It appears to be more cool tolerant than Ficus elastica and may even cope with being grown out of doors in the mildest regions of the UK. I received a seedling from a strain that is supposedly cold tolerant and it has grown away quite well this summer. *It has coped with our winter so far. *Fingers crossed. When and if yours has babies, please think of us!! -- Sachahttp://www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon (new website online)- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Welcome back Sacha, we have missed you. Judith |
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