Ficus abutilifolia, the large-leaved rock fig

In habitat Ficus abutilifolia, the large-leaved rock fig, may present the mind-boggling extreme of success against all odds, making it in circumstances that appear most unlikely. It is easy to imagine or find a small plant growing from a crevice. A fully grown and little-seen tree making so much of its crack in the rock is awe-inspiring.

Known as a rock-splitter, many of its kindred have done exactly this for a very long time. Once the conditions have been mastered, such a plant has access to resources eschewed by or unavailable to others, improving its odds of making it in the world.

Erasmus (2016) sees the large-leaved and small-leaved rock figs as daring souls that “cling to sheer cliffs and hug massive boulders”, both show-offs and vasbyters (ones that bite hard and hold on). They perform their rock-splitting and soil creation with flair.

F. abutilifolia also grows near water, while up here the rock may contribute by retaining the moisture that reaches the deep, inner cracks (Erasmus, 2016; Coates Palgrave, 2002).

There is more about this fig tree on the Site, in the Ficus Album and elsewhere, accessed via the Search Box.