Port Jackson fig

Figs produced directly on the branches of the Port Jackson fig are small orange/brown. They are not palatable to humans.

Description

• Evergreen, multi-stemmed tree growing up to 15 metres tall.

• Young stems are finely hairy, becoming hairless as they mature.

• Leaves are narrow-oval, leathery between -12cm long. They are hairless above and densely hairy and pink/brown below.

• Flowers are green, small and round with rusty coloured hairs during summer.

• Fruit is yellow/red and 2cm in diameter.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds and possibly mammals.

• Habitats include rock walls, graves, rocky outcrops, cliffs, scrub, open coastal forest, epiphytic on palms and rough barked trees.

What you need to know

Port Jackson fig reduces above-ground biomass of forests and alters vegetation structure. May affect fruit eating animal communities by providing food resource to possums, feral pigs and rodents.

Management approach

Port Jackson fig is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of Port Jackson fig yourself. Report any sightings to us.