| Sweet sandpaper fig | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Genus: | Ficus |
| Subgenus: | F. subg. Sycidium |
| Species: | F. opposita |
| Binomial name | |
| Ficus opposita | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ficus opposita is one of several fig species commonly known as sandpaper figs . It is native to the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.Other common names include sweet sandpaper fig, [1] sweet fig [1] and the ambiguous "figwood" and "watery fig". [2]
It grows as either a shrub or small tree. [1] As the figs ripen, their colour changes from green to yellow to reddish-brown and finally, to black. [1] The fruit is edible and palatable, tastier than most other fig species. [3]
It serves as a food plant for the caterpillars of the Queensland butterfly the common- or purple moonbeam ( Philiris innotatus ). [4]
The leaves on this plant can treat skin infections such as tinea.[ citation needed ]
Shown to hybridise with Ficus coronulata. [5]
