Ficus arnottiana

Ficus arnottiana, commonly known as the Indian rock fig, rock peepal or wavy-leaved fig tree, is a species of fig tree, native to the Indian subcontinent with a preference to rocky habitats. The species was named in honor of the Scottish botanist George Arnott Walker-Arnott.

Description

Ficus arnottiana is a medium to large deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 meters in height. The tree has a spreading canopy, and its bark is smooth and grayish-white. The leaves are large, ovate to heart-shaped, and have a distinctive glossy green surface with prominent veins. Unlike Ficus religiosa, its leaves have a more pointed and acuminate rather than a long tapering one.
The tree produces small, round figs that are initially green and turn reddish when ripe. These figs grow in pairs along the branches and serve as a crucial food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife. Like other Ficus species, F. arnottiana has a mutualistic relationship with fig wasps, which pollinate its flowers.

Habitat and distribution

This species is native to the Indian subcontinent and predominantly found in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. It grows in dry deciduous forests, on rocky slopes, and near riverbanks observed mostly in clay to a well drained soil with quite some water and lots of sun. It is well adapted to arid conditions and can often be seen growing on cliffs and large boulders.