Cape Fig (Ficus sur)

The Cape Fig or Broom Cluster Fig makes a beautiful feature tree in the artist’s garden. In the wild, this tree occurs along the eastern shores of South Africa from the southern Cape Coast northwards through Swaziland, Zimbabwe and into tropical Africa. The fruits are borne on leafless, broom-like branches that appear on the trunk, main branches and even roots of the tree.

The unripe fruits are mottled green becoming red-brown when ripe. These dense clusters of fruit are eaten by all, including humans, both fresh and in jams or preserves. Fruit bats, vervet monkeys, hornbills, fruit chafer beetles and many other species of birds and insects feast on the fruits. Those not feeding directly from the trees hunt the small insects that are attracted to the fermenting fruits. This fig is certain to bring wildlife back to your garden. Throughout its range extensive use is made of the Cape Fig for its traditional medicinal properties.