Moraceae – Fig family
The fig family, Moraceae, consists of 38 genera and 1100 known species.
Description of the family:
Trees, shrubs or herbs (Dorstenia only), dioecious or monoecious; sap milky, very occasionally watery (e.g. in Ficus capreifolia). Stipules present. Leaves alternate, rarely subopposite or subwhorled. Inflorescence unisexual or bisexual. Male flowers: tepals 2-6 perianth 0; stamens 1-4. Female flowers: tepals 2-6 perianth 0; pistil 1; stigmas 1 or 2.
Comment:
We have followed the taxonomy of Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2003).
Worldwide:
38 genera and 1100 species, mostly in warm or tropical areas but with a few in temperate zones.
Zimbabwe:
7 genera and 42 taxa.
- Dorstenia L.
- Ficus L.
- Maclura Nutt.
- Milicia Sim
- Morus L.
- Streblus Lour.
- Trilepisium Thouars
Insects associated with this family:
Cyrestis camillus (African map or -porcelain) Food plant
Naroma varipes (Figtree moth) Food plant
