# Hauili fig tree

*Ficus septica*

This tree has a 'lock and key' relationship with a specific species of wasp, Ceratosolen nanus, which is the only insect capable of pollinating its internal flowers.

- **Taxonomy:** Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Moraceae › Ficus
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Secondary forests, riverbanks, and disturbed lowlands.
- **Diet:** Photosynthetic
- **Range:** Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia
- **Size:** 5 to 15 meters in height
- **Lifespan:** 30-60 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Deforestation and urban expansion, though it is highly resilient to disturbance.
- **Safe to approach?:** The tree is harmless to observe, but its white latex sap is a skin irritant and toxic if ingested. Avoid breaking leaves or bark. If sap contacts skin, wash immediately with soap and water; if it enters eyes, seek medical attention.

## About

Ficus septica (called Hauli tree in the Philippines, 棱果榕 in China and Taiwan) is a shrub or tree of the family Moraceae living at low altitudes from Northeast India to North Australia (Queensland), and throughout Malesia. It lives on the edge of the vegetation, often in degraded environments. The seeds of this species are dispersed by numerous species, including fruit bats (Megachiroptera) when present.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/22bcb55a-4f4d-4d97-95ef-9b9d8166cd62
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/369434
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus septica
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/477301494/medium.jpeg (葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.