Sycomoros old

Ficeae tribus_authority = Gaudich. (Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupr�) genus = Ficus genus_authority = L. (Carolus Linnaeus) subdivision_ranks = Species subdivision = About 800, see text (#Selected species)

Ficus (pron-en?fa?k?s) is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family (family (biology)) Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The so-called Common Fig (F. carica) is a temperate species from the Middle East and eastern Europe (mostly Ukraine), which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of paramount cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.