Common Name: Sandpaper Fig

Botanical Name: Ficus aculeata

A small tree growing from 3-8m high. There are male and female trees. The leaves have bristly hairs on the underside, giving them a “sandpapery” feel. Small round fruit develops up to 1cm in diameter turning from green to yellow to purple when ripe from July to February. High in vitamin C, sweet and sought after by birds. A common understory tree in open forest, woodland and scrubland in sandstone country, also on coastal sand dunes.

  

Aboriginal Uses 

The fruit is eaten when ripe and dark in colour. Leaves are used as sandpaper to smooth the surface of tools. Tea made from leaves is used to treat influenza, fevers, aches and skin rashes. Infusion from inner bark is used as eyewash and also to treat diarrhoea. Latex from stems is used to treat ringworm. Bark is sometimes used as string for tying objects.