Ficus of Peru

Resumo

The genus Ficus L., which includes the common fig tree (Ficus carica L.), is one of the most frequent arboreal groups in the humid Amazon, where it plays a key ecological role in providing edible fruit to the wildlife. Its treatment is priority in the Illustrated Flora of Peru. This document recognizes 63 species for Peru, plus the six commonly cultivated in urban gardens and parks. All of them are described and illustrated, with identification keys and the indication of their updated nomenclature, relevant synonymy and geographical and ecological distribution. The peruvian species of Ficus are subdivided into two Subgenera, Pharmacosycea and Spherosuke (the later extensively known as Urostigma). The altitudinal range of native Ficus in Peru is 0-2200 m a.s.l. Ficus of Subgenus Pharmacosycea shows a higher species richness in the humid forests of the eastern flank of the central Andes, between 1200–2400 m a.s.l.; for Spherosuke the higher species richness is concentrated in the Amazon lowland rainforests, below 800 m a.s.l., in the northern and southern thirds of the country. Considering both Subgenera, i.e. the totality of the species, the highest number is observed in the lowland Amazon rainforests plus premontane humid forests of the eastern flank of the Andes. Five species are exclusive endemics of Peru: Ficus bombuscaroana, F. sirensis, F. quistocochensis, F. rimacana and F. vittata; also, a subspecies, F. jacobii subsp. jacobii. Aditionally, four species are shared in a narrow geographical range between Peru-Ecuador: Ficus ceronii, F. loxensis, F. maximoides and F. quichuana; and Perú-Bolivia, F. boliviana. More than 700 collections of the most important herbaria in Peru and worldwide, plus several species in the field, have been directly examined to complete the document.