Ficus sycomorus L.

This tree is propagated by stem cuttings. Steps to follow: • For stem cutting propagation, use softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings with at least 5 nodes. • For better rooting, use cutting hormone, and plant in long root trainer or pots filled with a ratio of 1 peat moss: 3 perlites: 1 compost. • Leave cutting on a bench with mist irrigation. • Stem rooting can vary from 18–25 days, with average rooting around 45%.

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Sycomore Fig
Fig-mulberry (or Mulberry Fig)
Sycamore
Sycomore
Common Cluster Fig

In Eastern Hajar Mountains of Oman, the fruit is boiled then softened to a mash which eaten with ghee. (Ref. Oman Botanic Garden). In Omani studies: Miller & Morris (1988) wrote that: "The new growth tips and leaves, which appear during the hot summer season preceding the monsoon, are known as [J: forog], and the side-twigs as [J: askut] - a terminology that applies to all the fig species. The figs from this tree were regarded as being the best in Dhofar, and were formerly of vital nutritional importance and significance. They were carefully harvested, dried in the sun, and then packed into sacks or leather bags and stored in dry caves or other places known to be reliably protected from the elements. The figs were also much liked while still unripe, when they have a sharp and slightly bitter flavour and exude a milky juice which is extremely sticky. ... These immature figs are called [J: ferrit, ferir], and when fully ripe, they are called [J: ahfol], a generic term for any ripe fig, and indeed for the ripe fruit of various other plants too. Once dried, the figs of all species were known as [J: eltebib]. Unripe figs were regarded as suitable gifts among friend or for acquaintances in the coastal settlements, and some, (mainly the more poverty stricken older women), used to sell the dried figs in the coastal markets. The underbark, or bast, was stripped off and, after soaking and retting, was divided into strands which were then rolled, twisted and worked into threads. While not as good and strong as those made from the under bark of F. vasta, they nevertheless made good strong ropes, and were much used for camel tackle: nooses, hobbles, bindings and straps for the udder cover and so on; for rough sewing and repairs, and for cordage generally. The milky juice which exudes from all parts of the tree when it is cut or bruised in any way is called [J: josot], and was used as an adhesive for all sorts of purposes. It was also collected, brought to the boil and reduced down to a viscous paste which was then cooled and poured into a large, open and infected wound to dry it out and enhance the healing process. However, the milky juice does not appear to have been put directly into the eye, as is done in parts of Ethiopia, to treat an inflamed or damaged eye. This tree is one of the profitable few which were dug up as saplings and transplanted to places which were accessible from or nearer to the more permanent settlements of the transhuming cattle people. A thorny fence would be erected around the sapling to protect it from the ravages of livestock until it had grown sufficiently tall and strong, when the fence was removed. The tree was liked almost as much for the shade it provided as it was for its fruit. Many well grown trees were given individual names, and were recognised stopping and resting places on the tracks leading from the plains to the hills, or from watering places to the settlements. The wood was the only part of the tree that was not appreciated, as it produced far too much smoke. This was a desirable quality for the fires lit for livestock - especially those inside the cattle byres, where such fires were seen as having a mildly sedative effect, as well as deterring pests and insects - but was a positive nuisance and health hazard in the fires lit inside the chimney-less, traditional stone-built houses for cooking, illumination or wormth. For such fires in the home, only those woods known to produce minimal; smoke were used, if at all possible". (Ref. Plants of Dhofar).

*Ghazanfar, S. (2003). Flora of the Sultanate of Oman, vol.1: Piperaceae – Primulaceae. Meise, National Botanic Garden of Belgium (Scripta Botanica Begica, Vol. 25). ISBN 90-72619-55-2 ISSN 0779-2387. *Miller, A., Morris, M. (1988). Plants of Dhofar, the Southern Region of Oman: Traditional, Economic, and Medicinal Uses. Published by Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman; ISBN 10: 0715708082 ISSN 13: 9780715708088. *https://en.wikipedia.org *https://www.nparks.gov.sg *Gledhill, D. (2008). The Names of Plants. Fourth Edition. Cambridge University Press, UK. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3 ISSN 978-0-521-68553-5. *Miller, A.G. & Cope, T.A. (1996). Flora of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra 1: 1-586. Edinburgh university press. ISBN 0748604758. *Hammer, K. Gebauer, J. Al Khanjari, S. Buerkert, A. (2009). Oman at the cross-roads of inter-regional exchange of cultivated plants. Gene Resour Crop Evol (2009) 56:547-560. Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008. DOI 10.1007/s10722-008-9385-z. *POWO (2023). ""Plants of the World Online. Facilitated ... by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org