Ficus crassiuscula is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) and north-western parts of South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela).[3]
Taxonomy
Ficus crassiuscula was first described in 1917.[2] In the 1960 Flora of Panama Gordon P. DeWolf Jr. considered this species to be a synonym of the non-climbing F. insipida,[4] but this taxonomic interpretation has not been followed by subsequent authorities.[3]
Among the fig species in subgenus Pharmacosycea, Ficus crassiuscula is quite unique: all the other species are tall, non-climbing, free-growing trees, but F. crassiuscula instead starts its life as an epiphyte (it is a hemiepiphyte), usually germinating near the ground on the lower tree trunk. It spreads from here as a vine, which roots freely at its nodes in order to climb. As a juvenile it also spreads along the ground, sometimes eventually forming a sprawling thicket - this enables the plant to find its favourite host trees. Eventually parts of it change from a vine to sapling with erect stems, which may eventually become the mature tree, this transformation usually occur when the vine has reached the crotch of a branch or the top of a tree stump.[6][8]
It has dimorphic leaves: the leaves of this species change in shape as it progresses from a juvenile to a mature plant.[6][8]
When mature, it is 20 to 35 meters tall. The leaves are ovoid and shiny, reaching 7cm wide and 16cm long. It flowers February to April and bears warty, yellow-green fruit that are 4 to 6 cm in diameter.[9]
Ecology
It is found in lower montane rainforests.[8] In Costa Rica, F. crassiuscula is found in cloud forest above 1550 meters in altitude.[9] Although it is a free-standing tree when mature, F. crassiuscula begins its growth as a climbing vine. It clings to a mature tree, eventually strangling it. Its favoured hosts are Guarea tuisana and Sapium pachystachys, and it is also frequently found on already-dead trees.[8]
Monkeys feed on fruits while they are still on the tree, and the fallen fruits are eaten by peccaries.[9]
Uses
The wood is soft, but it is used for construction purposes where durability is not important.[9]
