Ficus macrophylla Pers.

Tree to 55 m high with wide-spreading crown; trunk to 2 m diam., usually strongly buttressed. Leaves: lamina elliptic to broadly elliptic to oblong or narrowly elliptic-ovate, often broadly ovate, 8–25 cm long, 4.5–12 cm wide, broadly cuneate to subrotund or obtuse at base, entire margin, (obtuse or) acute to bluntly acuminate at apex, ferruginous-pubescent beneath, often becoming glabrescent with age; primary lateral veins 10–16 pairs, slightly more prominent than the secondary ones; petiole 5–10 cm long; stipules to 15 cm long, lightly pubescent to glabrous. Figs paired, ± globose to obloid, 1.5–2.5 cm diam.; ostiole minute, hardly raised; basal bracts 2, very broadly ovate; peduncle c. 1–2.5 cm long. Male flowers pedicellate; tepals 3 or 4. Female flowers shortly pedicellate; tepals usually 3; style short; stigma simple. [The above description requires revision-Editor, 28 January 2022.]

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to E Australia. It grows in rainforest. It suits humid locations. It can tolerate salt laden winds. They can grow in temperate places and tolerate moderate frosts. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris occurs on Lord Howe Island.

Widely cultivated as garden trees south as far as Victoria. Fallen leaves have been reported palatable to stock. Wood said to be useful for cases and crates.

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are removed from the fig and mixed with sand before sowing as they are very small. Take the seed from ripe purple fruit.