Ficus natalensis Hochst. subsp. leprieurii (Miq.) C. C. Berg. Common name - Triangel fig, Natal fig, Triangel leaved fig. Synonym- Ficus triangularis, Ficus leprieurii Miq. (basionym). Family - Moraceae

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

n

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

0

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

4.05

Toxic to animals

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y

1

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

n

0

5.02

Grass

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y

-1

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

n

-1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

4

-1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y

1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

n

-1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

Total score:

1

Notes

Reference

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

1.03

2.01

Native:
AFRICA
Northeast Tropical Africa: Sudan
West-Central Tropical Africa: Central African Republic; Gabon; Zaire
West Tropical Africa: Ghana; Nigeria
South Tropical Africa: Angola; Zambia [n.w.]

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

2.02

2.03

(1)Probably can grow above 1000 m elevation - [One out of 4 herbarium specimens has was collected from 1470 m in Zambia, it mentions "Occasional; tree in holes in rock; …" (2)Forest (both wet and dry), and woodland in rocky places, up to an altitude of 2200m.

(1) Tropicos (2)http://www.figweb.org/Ficus/Subgenus_Urostigma/Section_
Galoglychia/Subsection_Chlamydodorae/Ficus_natalensis_natalensis.htm

2.04

Native:
AFRICA }
Northeast Tropical Africa: Sudan
West-Central Tropical Africa: Central African Republic; Gabon; Zaire
West Tropical Africa: Ghana; Nigeria
South Tropical Africa: Angola; Zambia [n.w.]

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

2.05

Introduced to Florida. No further evidence regarding introduction elsewhere.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

Ficus altissima and Ficus thonningii are on Florida Noxious Weed list.

http://www.invasive.org/listview.cfm?list=18

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

Don’t know.

4.05

No evidence

4.06

Phyllachora nervisequens was listed to be associated with Ficus natalensis. No evidence that the above is an economic pest.

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/index.cfm

4.07

Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. [No other evidence regarding toxicity].

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

4.08

Probably not - an evergreen shrub with fleshy leaves.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/interiorscape/Ficus_triangularis.html

4.09

(1)Sun Exposure: Full Sun. Sun to Partial Shade. (2)"Most Ficus will grow decently in low light, but thrive in high light conditions." (3)tolerates low light (1000 Lux)

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html (3)http://www.bonsaiweb.com/care/faq/ficus.html

4.1

No evidence regarding soil requirements.

4.11

No evidence

4.12

No evidence

5.01

A tree.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/interiorscape/Ficus_triangularis.html

5.02

5.03

5.04

6.01

Produces fruit in Uganda.

Molleman, Freerk; van Alphen, Monique E.; Brakefield, Paul M., et al.
Preferences and food quality of fruit-feeding butterflies in Kibale Forest, Uganda
Biotropica 37 (4) : 657-663 DEC 2005

6.02

Photo showing seedlings of Ficus natalensis. Also photo of F.natalensis growing high up in building cracks -most likely to have germinated from deposited seed.

http://www.sabonet.org.za/downloads/36_rare_plants/j.chapter6.9.pdf

6.03

Don’t know - Hybridization does occur in the genus Ficus but no evidence of hybridization with Ficus natalensis.

6.04

6.05

"Abstract: In a fig-fig wasp symbiosis, we have discovered that male fig pollinators (Alfonsiella fimbriata Waterston) bite into the dehiscent anthers of Ficus natalensis leprieuri Miq., thus scattering the pollen grains throughout the syconium. Female pollinators are the only ones to transfer pollen to conspecific trees, and collect pollen actively from the anthers only. Thus, this male behaviour appears to be antagonistic to the pollination process. We compare different wasp pollinating behaviours between fig species exhibiting dehiscent and non-dehiscent anthers and conclude that this male behaviour is new and not required with spontaneously dehiscent anthers. These findings could suggest a host shift of Alfonsiella fimbriata. Copyright 2004 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved."

Michaloud, Georges; Bossu-Dupriez, Nathalie; Chevolot, Malia, et al. Pollen waste and unrelated traits in a fig-fig wasp symbiosis: a new behaviour suggesting a host shift Comptes Rendus Biologies 328 (1) : 81-87 January 2005.

6.06

No evidence of spread by vegetative means.

6.07

A ficus tree - 8 ft [Probably >4 years].

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/interiorscape/Ficus_triangularis.html

7.01

No evidence that the species grows in heavily trafficked areas.

7.02

An ornamental plants sold online.

7.03

Probably not - no evidence that the species grows around seed crop fields.

7.04

Dispersed by birds.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

7.05

Dispersed by birds.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

7.06

It produces yellow figs that are eaten by birds.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

7.07

No evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

Probably yes - if the fruits are dispersed by birds. From the photo (without a scale) the berries appear to be small enough for a bird to swallow.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://ficusweb.ru/ficus-triangularis.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=6&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D
%2522Ficus%2Bnatalensis%2Bsubsp.%2Bleprieurii%2B
%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DDIUS,DIUS:2006-15,DIUS:en%26sa%3DG

8.01

No evidence regarding seed size and number.

8.02

Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57836/index.html

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

Can take vigorous root pruning. Cut back shoots after 12 leaves have developed.

http://www.bonsaiweb.com/care/faq/ficus.html

8.05

Don’t know.