Sycamore Fig or Common Cluster Fig

Afrikaans name: Sycomorusvy

Buttress of a Sycamore Fig

Photo © Steven Herbert

Ficus sycomorus

Sycamore Figs are massive trees that grow to a height of over 20 metres.

They are normally found near permanent sources of water such as rivers, streams and swamps.

In South Africa they can be found in the eastern parts of the country from Durban through to Limpopo.

The fruit of the Sycamore Fig tree is eaten by a wide variety of animals. While the figs are still on the tree it is eaten by many different species of birds as well as monkeys, Chacma Baboon and bushbabies. Mammals such as Bushbuck, Kudu, Warthog, Impala and Nyala eat the fallen figs from the ground.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wild Issue 38 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 82

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 150

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 78

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 36

Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Published: 1997 - Page: 182

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 14

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 178

Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 35

Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - Author: David Paynter with Wilf Nussey - Published: 1986 - Page: 25

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 286

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 35

Country Life - Issue 266 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 35

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 91

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 6

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