The Laurel fig (Ficus ilicina) is a species of rock-splitting[1] fig that is native to the semi-desert regions of southwestern Africa. It is only found on rocks,[2] up to an altitude of 1300m (4,300feet).[3]
It is generally a scrambler on rocks, but also a medium-sized shrub, or rarely a large tree of 5m (16feet) tall or more.[2] It is mostly evergreen, though a few are bare in spring, just before new foliage emerges. The elliptic leaves are more than twice as long as they are wide, shiny above and matte below.[2] The sessile or stalked figs are produced in the summer months. They are about 1cm (00inches) in diameter and appear in the leaf axils near the branch tips.[2]
It occurs in southwestern Angola, the Namibian escarpment and Khomas hochland, and in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
The pollinating wasp is Elisabethiella enriquesi (Grandi).[3] The figs are eaten by birds and people.[2]