Moraceae: Fig Family


Description of the Family:

Habit***: ours mostly trees, ***usually with milky sap

Leaves: alternate, simple, stipulate

Plants: monoecious or dioecious

Inflorescence***: dense raceme or flowers embeded in a fleshy receptacle

Sepals: usually 4, inconspicuous

Petals: absent

Stamens: usually 4, distinct, opposite the sepals

Gynoecium: of 2 connate carpels; ovary superior or inferior with 1 locule and 1 apical ovule

Fruit***: an achene or drupelet, ***usually agregated into a dense multiple fruit with accessory tissues (like a Strawberry....)

Diversity: 48 genera / 1200 species

Distribution: mostly tropical and subtropical

Economics: fruit--figs, breadfruit; rubber, timber, paper, cult. ornamentals


Representative species found in Arizona:

Ficus sp.

Morus microphylla

Morus sp.


Home   |   Tree   |   Map   |   Quiz