# Ficus

**Family:** Moraceae

_**Ficus**_ is a [genus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus) of about 850 [species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species) of woody [trees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree), [shrubs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub), [vines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine), [epiphytes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyte) and [hemiepiphytes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemiepiphyte) in the [family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_(biology)) [Moraceae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moraceae). Collectively known as **fig trees** or **figs**, they are native throughout the [tropics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropics) with a few species extending into the semi-warm [temperate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate) zone. The [common fig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fig) ( _F. carica_) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the [Mediterranean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean) region (from Afghanistan to Portugal), which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its [fruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushfood). However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.

[**Source:** Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus)