Ficus racemosa aka Cluster Fig

Ficus racemosa, or cluster fig, belongs to the mulberry family. Other names include country fig, gular and red-wooded fig. Its native range spans southern China and the Indian subcontinent. It extends through Southeast Asia to New Guinea and Australia. It grows in open forests and along lowland river banks. In southern China, it also grows beside streams at higher elevations.

Garden references give heights of 26–39 feet [8–12 metres]. PFAF gives a spread of 39 feet [12 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants also describes trees reaching 66–98 feet [20–30 metres]. The crown often has an uneven shape. Older trunks develop deep buttresses at their base. The tree can stay evergreen where conditions suit it. In drier places, it may shed its leaves. Its roots grow deep and spread over a wide area.

Wasps pollinate the flowers, and the figs grow on the trunk. Birds, including barbets, eat the ripe fruit. The figs reach about one inch across. People eat them fresh or cook them in dishes. Their taste is sweet but mild. Unripe figs go into pickles and soups. Dried fruit can provide flour, while roasted fruit provides food too. People also eat the leaves and young shoots. Cut roots yield a liquid used as drinking water.

Grow this tree in full sun or part shade. It needs moist soil that drains well. It accepts sandy soil, loam and clay. It also grows in mildly acid, neutral or mildly alkaline soil. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 9–12 and describes fast growth. The tree resists fire. Growers can raise it from seed, cuttings or air layers. Its large size suits parks and spacious gardens. Growers also plant it to shade coffee crops.

The roots help hold slopes, gullies and river banks in place. Fallen leaves supply mulch, and the bark provides tannin. Its latex has uses in paper and rubber production. The wood is light, soft and porous, with limited durability. Traditional medicine uses its leaves, bark, fruit and root liquid. These uses do not establish that treatments work or are safe. PFAF warns that swallowing the sap can cause poisoning. Sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when pruning. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards, so the sources differ on safety.