Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Although the African Plant Database (APD 2020) maintains Ficus cordata subsp. salicifolia as a subspecies of F. cordata, we follow Bhanumas et al. 2013 and Plants of the World online (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2020) in considering Ficus salicifolia as a valid species.
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs throughout the Hajar Mountains in the UAE, in addition to the Ru'us al-Jibal. Within this range, it is known to occur in at least one protected area. It is generally considered to be common and is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, this species is widespread throughout the Hajar Mountain range and the Ru'us al-Jibal (as Ficus cordata subsp. salicifolia; Jongbloed et al. 2003). It typically occurs at low elevations and is rarely found above 500 m altitude (Jongbloed et al. 2003). Globally, the native range of this species is given as from the western Cape Province to Cameroon, and east to the Arabian Peninsula (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019), although Bhanumas et al. (2013) consider the distribution in Africa to generally be more northerly (Algeria, Niger, Libya, Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, Somalia, and Arabia (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, and Oman). Bordbar and Mirtadzadini (2019) recorded the species for Iran.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This tree species is known to grow within wadi environments (Mahmoud et al. 2018). It can grow up to 15 m in height and has smooth grey bark (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The tree produces a milky sap, has alternating, lance-shaped leaves and round orange fruits (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It flowers between May and December (Jongbloed et al. 2003). Typically, it grows within wadi banks and gorges at low elevations (Jongbloed et al. 2003) and is described as 'more prominent on rock debris, especially near wadis' (Perry 2008). This fig tree is also reported to be the most drought-tolerant of the Ficus species found within Arabia (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
There is no information available.
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
