Ficus carica
Fig at Watson, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Ficus carica | waltraud | 18 Sep 2025 | |
| Ficus carica | waltraud | 18 Sep 2025 | |
| Ficus (genus) | MPW | 17 Sep 2025 |
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User's notes
My suggestion is that this small shrub is a type of Ficus, probably spread via bird droppings. Characteristic leaf bud + white latex sap oozing from cut stem. The vigorous rather wiry root structure also suggests Ficus. I
have not seen (exotic) Ficus species @ Mt Majura Nature Park before.
6 comments
18 Sep 2025
The specimen is certainly not a native of the area, and yes Max, there was a fig tree - the edible mediterranean Ficus carica - where we removed Cleavers, Black Nightshade, tomatoes (!) etc under Exocarpos trees. I took photos and recorded on CNM however since the mapping tool is removed from CNM, it would take me long time to find it again. I observed Fig trees (Ficus carica) in the Majura pines close to the border with nature reserve at the ridge and I think fruits are spread by birds, most likely Currawongs. The Census of Vascular Plants of the ACT doesn't list Figs, native or exotic... Obviously the specimen you recorded was tackled before but has re-sprouted.
18 Sep 2025
@waltraud, I think the one you are referring to is https://naturemapr.org/sightings/4560954, which is a bit further west. (Found record in species search on CNM, but had to go to the list which gives your name) and on species search of ALA (which gives a map). Ficus carica is on the ACT list of invasive alien plants (which relies on sightings) but not on ACT Plant Census (which relies on Herbarium accessions).
18 Sep 2025
hi https://canberra.naturemapr.org/users/8081, many thanks for digging this out and yes, my comment referred to the further west (downhill) specimen. It just shows that the figs are spread like other fruit trees and that you can expect them to grow under tree canopy in rather high nutrient soil with reasonable moisture. the number of Currawongs have increased dramatically since the development of The Fair - I suspect them are the culbrits spreading the figs and most likely the Callery pears, tomatoes, etc which we find in increasing numbers.....
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MPW
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MPW
18 Sep 2025
This specimens Stem and roots were treated with Glyphosate," cut n dab" , it was not "dug out". I don't think this specimen is a regrowth from a previous weed treatment, most likely an original / new specimen. Yes it was growing under Exocarpus @ Clancy's track not far from the water Dam site here.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.172640-35.230572
- Maps Mount Majura
- Places Watson, ACT
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- 15 Sep 2025 12:52 PM Recorded on
- MPW Recorded by
- 30cm to 1 metre Plant height
- Less than 50cm Circumference of trunk
Collections
Species information
- Ficus carica Scientific name
- Fig Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Minor weed or pest
- Up to 819.19m Recorded at altitude
Seasonal activity
-
In flower
JFMAMJJASOND
Record quality
Quality score
5 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location