Common name: Punjab Fig • Hindi: अंजीरी Anjiri, जंगली अंजीर Jangli-Anjir, Khemri • Manipuri: হৈবাম Heibam • Telugu: Manjimedi • Gujarati: Pepri
Botanical name: Ficus palmata Family: Moraceae (Mulberry family) Synonyms: Ficus pseudocarica
Punjab Fig is a deciduous, moderate-sized tree, 6-10 m in height. It is
usually seen cultivated as a shrub. Young branches, velvety, often becoming
hairless; bark, smooth, dull, ash gray, can be stripped off with the hand,
exposing the white to light-yellow wood underneath; wood, moderately hard.
Leaves, alternate, broad, ovate, membranous, 12.92 cm long, 14.16 cm broad,
with a heart-shaped base, and toothed margin (which is rare in figs).
Leaves are dark green and rough on the upper surface, light green and
tomentose on the lower surface. Punjab Fig is one of the tastiest fruits
found growing wild in the mid-Himalayan region. It is at par with the
cultivated figs in taste and flavour, however, size is rather small in this
case. In the hills of India, this fig is eaten largely and is succulent,
sweet and pleasant.
| Photographed in Sundar Nagar, Delhi. |
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