WestSea Fig2003

Sea Fig (HT 2003-79)

This Heritage Tree can be found in Nanyang Technological University, in front of Gaia building.

A large tree near modern buildings, with a pedestrian crossing sign and a curved road in the foreground.

📷: Brendon Phuah

Heritage Tree Information

Reference ID
HT 2003-79

Scientific name: Ficus superba
Family name: Moraceae
Girth: 4.73 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 14.9 m

Location
Nanyang Technological University, in front of Gaia Building (View Map) (opens in new tab)

A large deciduous tree that grows up to 30 m in height, the Sea Fig bears a wide and spreading crown. It has relatively large leaves that can grow up to 25 cm long by 12 cm wide and are slightly heart shaped. Its figs on the other hand are relatively small at about 1 cm in diameter and ripen from pale yellow and eventually to purple. They are set in bunches on small woody knobs on the twigs and branches. This strangler fig has large spreading branches and produces many aerial roots from the branches, trunk and base of its lower limbs.

As with many other Ficus species, the figs are a reliable source of food for fruit-eating animals such as the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) (opens in new tab), Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) (opens in new tab) and Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) (opens in new tab).

The Sea Fig is endangered in Singapore, but is widely distributed from Japan, China, Indochina, and Malesia to Australia. This Heritage Tree has been standing here since the early days of Nanyang University, circa 1956.

For more information on this species, please refer to NParks' Flora & Fauna Web profile. (opens in new tab)