ORIGIN

NSW and Queensland

COMMON NAME

Port Jackson fig

BOTANICAL NAME

Ficus rubiginosa

Photo source: ARC Parks 121(21)

IDENTIFICATION

Evergreen, small to large tree often starting life as an epiphyte. Leaves smooth above, densely clothed in fine reddish hairs below, oval, 40-120 mm long. Fruit yellow to dull red to 20 mm wide. Can be identified from Morton Bay fig by the smaller, hairy leaves, and smaller fruit.

HABITATS

Rock walls, firm rocky outcrops, phoenix palm trunks. Only recently naturalised. Should be watched for.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Only recently naturalised. Open rocky sites.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Garden escape, seeds freely and is pollinated by its introduced wasp.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Pull seedlings. Fell larger trees and treat the stump with a herbicide mix.

Disposal

Chemical Control
Treat standing trees with herbicide mix poured into holes drilled in the trunk. These holes should be downward sloping and not more than 50 mm apart around the trunk.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Stem treatment is the most cost effective option.

FURTHER COMMENT

Vigilance is required to stop this species establishing in the wild where the right habitat is available. Treat new infestations immediately.