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Description: Ficus prolixa is a large, sometimes huge, native member of the fig family. This spreading “banyan” or “strangler fig” tree attains heights of 30-40 m (100-125 ft) or more. It produces a milky sap, and bears mostly elliptical leaves, 6-15 cm (2-6 in) long, which have small hard spots (i.e., cystoliths) only on their lower surface (see Stone 1970:250; also see Falanruw 2015:156). Note: F. microcarpa, on the other hand has cystolith cells in both upper and lower surface of leaf (see Stone 1970:250). The flowers of F. prolixa are enclosed by a spherical receptacle; and the fruits are globular berry-like and hollow (technically a synconium or a cluster of ingrowing flowers), i.e., “Fruit compound, the receptacle invaginated so that the flowers and matured fruits are entirely enclosed; external appearance fruitlike even when in flower” (Stone 1970:247). The compound fruits become reddish when ripe and contain many small seeds. F. prolixa frequently starts its life as an epiphyte growing on the branch or in a notch of another tree; as it grows older it sends down aerial roots; if these reach the ground they quickly form roots in the soil and become much thicker and more vigorous. The aerial roots supply nutrients to the epiphytic fig tree, allowing it to grow faster than the original host tree upon which the strangler fig germinated as an “air plant.” The aerial roots of the fig gradually surround the host tree, preventing its main trunk from expanding, while at the same time its foliage smothers that of the host. Eventually the host tree dies, allowing the F. prolixa tree continue growing without competition. The long aerial roots of F. prolixa that grow down from branches sometimes create an almost impenetrable barrier for humans and other large animals. On some Micronesian Islands, these tangled masses of branches, prop roots, and trunks create dark shadows and recesses in which spirits are thought to make their homes (see below).
Distribution: The Pacific Banyan, F. prolixa, is found on many high, tropical volcanic islands in the Pacific region including those in New Caledonia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and French Polynesia and Micronesia; it also occurs in some limestone areas of these islands, such as Guam in the Mariana Islands. Although this tree can germinate on rocky ground or outcrops on mountain ridges, it often starts its life as an epiphyte growing on another plant, sometimes enlarging to point that it strangles the host plant (as noted above, also see below).
Uses by Island or Island Group: Thaman (1992a:51) summarizes the cultural significance and use of F. prolixa in Melanesia and Polynesia:
“[Ficus prolixa] is regarded as having spiritual importance in many areas and the focus of creation mythology and cosmogony in Polynesia and Melanesia; important in rituals and ceremonies in Melanesia; is found in and serves as the focus for the ceremonial meeting place (nakamal) in Vanuatu; timber and aerial roots used in construction and tool making in Melanesia; occasionally used for canoe hulls in Papua New Guinea;… [its bark bast fiber is] used to make bark cloth in Vanuatu, Fiji, Niue, and Tahiti, and for making very large seine nets in Tahiti; sap used as chewing gum and, in Vanuatu, for putty and caulking and to dye ceremonial sashes and belts;…sap used for chewing gum; roots, aerial roots, bark, fruit latex, and leaves used medicinally; leaves used in garlands and in ceremonial dress; latex used in waterproofing in Tahiti; fruit important food of birds and fruit bats.”
In Micronesia, there are also a number of recorded traditional uses of the bark, leaves and other parts of the large native banyan tree, F. prolixa. These uses include, among other applications, production of cordage, starting fires, practical and magical medicine, and as a hair conditioner; e.g., its leaves are reportedly “added to oil to promote thick, lush hair” (http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/ethnobotany/text/flora.html).
Uses in Palau: Tuyama (1941) indicated that F. prolixa which he referred to as Ficus carolinensis (synonym of F. prolixa) was “cultivated as sunshade.” Known in the islands of Palau as Lulk, Lulg or Wos,the aerial roots of F. prolixa are said to be sometimes used in Palau for cordage (Cynthia Chin, personal communication, 2001).
Uses in Yap: F. prolixa, an indigenous banyan or fig tree in Yap, is known in Yapese as Aw or Aw Aw, changing from village to village on Yap proper. It is not cultivated, but remains as a wild component of the native Yap forest vegetation. As in many other areas of Micronesia, the many hanging roots create dark shadows and recesses in which spirits are thought to make their homes; and indeed, as in many other Pacific Island cultures, this large tree has a traditional association with “ghosts” in Yap (e.g., see Falanruw 2015:156; also see uses in other Micronesian Islands below). Leaves, fruits, bark and roots of F. prolixa are used in medicine. For example, according to Okabe (see Defilipps 1988:7), on Yap, “the leaves and scapes” of the Crinum asiaticum (family Amaryllidaceae) “are crushed together with aerial roots of Ficus prolixa, and the sap is drunk” for treatment of beriberi; and if vomiting occurs after administration of the medicinal preparation, it “does not affect the treatment.” Falanruw (2015:156) referred to fruit bats that “eat Ficus fruit and spread the seed.”
Uses in Ulithi: On this atoll, where F. prolixa is known as Hulio, this large fig tree serves as a firewood source; and to start a fire a piece of F. prolixa wood is placed in a bamboo container and ignited “with a spark from flint,” In addition, the aerial roots of F. prolixa are occasionally used for tying materials together, with larger roots sometimes serving as rollers to move heavy materials; furthermore, a dangerous illness known as mai, believed to be caused by a tree spirit, is treated with a medicine that combines parts of the epiphytic bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) and leaves of this F. prolixa (Lessa 1977:152).
Uses in Ifaluk: On Ifaluk, where F. prolixa is known as Giliau, the aerial roots are occasionally used for temporary canoe lashing until the permanent lashing of coconut sennit fiber is put in place. Bast fibers from the roots of this tree are also reported used for fish lures on Ifaluk (Lessa 1977:152).
Uses in the Mariana Islands:Among the species of Ficus indigenous to the Mariana Islands, the giant banyan, F. proxila, known locally as Nunu, usually begins its life as an epiphyte from seeds dropped by birds on the limbs of the other trees. Stone (1970:18) listed F. prolixa as a native tree in the forests of “elevated Hard Limestones - Typhoon Forest” located in the northern half of Guam, and in the ravine vegetation or on the “argillaceous or limestone outcrops” of the southern, basically volcanic half of the island. Furthermore, Stone (1970:252) described F. prolixa as a “widespread Polynesian species, represented in Guam by 2 varieties, with a third dubious.” The first of Stone’s varieties F. prolixa var. prolixa is distinguished by its leaf blades which are either acute or cuneate at their base, while the second, F. prolixa var. sub cordata which is distinguished by its leaf blades that are subcordate or cordate at their base. The ancient Chamorro people considered F. prolixa trees as sacred to the aniti, or spirits of the departed; and they are still regarded with superstitious dread by the natives. More than a century ago, Safford (1905:275) noted the following:
“It is interesting to note that the Tahitians and Samoans have the same superstitious awe of the allied aoa [Ficus] trees of their islands, which in ancient times were sacred to the aitu, or wood spirits. Even at the present time few natives of Guam will linger near a Nunu tree after dark. The latex of the Nunu is astringent, and is used for stopping the flow of blood. The wood is useless.”
According to McMakin (1978:46):
“The aerial roots of this large indigenous tree [F. proxila] are used in medicinal combinations to stop internal bleeding from injury or applied to open wounds as a styptic.”
Moore and McMakin (1979:31) further elaborated on the importance and use of this native banyan tree in Guam
“The taotaomona spirits of the ancient [Chamorro] people are thought to reside around the tree. For this reason, the [F. proxila] trees are rarely removed from property. Local curers sometimes use the sticky sap in medicinal preparations designed to stop the bleeding of external or internal injuries.”
Uses in Chuuk and associated atoll islands: In Chuuk, it is said that if one wants to cut down this type of tree, he should “kill it well or it may kill you.” The bark is used medicinally against “evil spirits” (see Merlin and Juvik 1996). The fruits and leaves serve as “magical medicine” (i.e., used as itang, ancient Chuukesemedicine). The roots are used to flavor a special breadfruit pudding; and a triangular section of bark symbolized female genitalia and was used to prevent a disease of infants known as yaws (Lessa 1977:152; also see Goodenough and Sugita 1980:5, referring to use of “Ficus carolinensis,” a synonym for F. prolixa in Chuuk). Traditional Chuukese belief suggests that pregnant women should not go under the Aaw (F. prolixa) tree lest the ghost (spirit) make delivery difficult or even cause the fetus to die. Manner (2013:241) reported that bark, leaves and fruit of F. prolixa (Aaw) are still “used in traditional medicine” on Romonum Island in Chuuk Lagoon.
Uses in Puluwat: The aerial roots of F. prolixa are reportedly used occasionally in large (seine) net fishing by the Puluwatese people (Lessa 1977:152).
Uses in Namoluk: Although there are no major uses of F. prolixa on Namoluk Atoll,bark of the aerial roots of this strangling fig tree are reportedly used “in herbal medicine” (Lessa 1977:152).
Uses in Losap: Listing this fig species as Ficus prolixa var. carolinensis (Warb.) Fosb., Manner and Sana (1995:61-62) noted that this large, rare tree on Losal Atoll, where it known as Aw, was found in the Piaman agroforest on Lewel Islet; Manner and Sana also reported that parts of this tree are used in traditional island herbal medicine.
Uses in Pohnpei: The large indigenous tree, Ficus prolixa, is know as Aiau. However, is also known in Pohnpei as Likatengensapw (“that which holds the land”) and is rarely cut down. On Pohnpei, F. prolixa is believed to serve as the mwoalen eni (“home of spirits”). It is not cultivated, but remains as a wild component of the native Pohnpeian forest vegetation (Merlin et al. 1992:50):
“The Aiau (Ficus prolixa) also strengthened the land. This tree grows on the mountain ridges. It is said to be one of the first plants to appear after the origin of Pohnpei. Early Micronesian settlers observed Aiau growing in Kiti. The trunk grew taller and taller and the branches fell over and apart toward what is now Sokehs and Kiti, and that is why that area is now fruitful with food (fruits coming from branches). The roots of the Aiau spread toward Madolenihmw and sprouted. It thus held the land together from north to south” (see Merlin et al. 1992:1).
Rehg and Sohl (1983), in their Pohnpeian dictionary listing of Aiau (F. prolixa), refer to the use of the leaves, fruits, bark and roots of this large banyan fig tree in local medicines. Lessa (1977:133) noted that a medicine made with the leaves of Ficus virens [syn. F. prolixa] and parts of the bird’s nest fern, Asplenium nidus has been used on Pohnpei to treat mai, “a serious disease believed to be caused by a tree spirit.” Lessa (1977:152) also noted that in Pohnpei “the bark and branch roots [of F. prolixa] are utilized in the treatment of tetanus and as a hemostatic in menstruation.” More recent ethnomedicinal research indicates that scraped bark of F. prolixa, in conjunction with parts of other plants including lime (Citrus aurantifolia), is used to treat the sickness characterized by high fever and convulsions (“jumping sickness” [tetanus?]) known locally as “soumwahu lusulus” [or “soumwahu en lusulus”?] (see Balick et al. 2009:445; also see Riesenberg 1948:417. and for more detail on this “jumping sickness” reported from Pohnpei, see: http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/botany/1999/vhp/citrus_aurantifolia).
Uses in Kosrae: The large trees of Ficus prolixa,known in Kosraean as Kohnyac or Kohnyah, are rarely cut down. Maxwell (1982:113) referred to this species as Ficus carolinensis Warb. & Lauterb. (a synonym for F. prolixa), with the local Kosraeian name “Konya” as he transcribed it. Traditionally, this large banyan fig tree on Kosrae has been believed to serve as the “home of giants.” F. prolixa is not cultivated on Kosrae, but remains a wild component of the native forest vegetation (“Kohnyac pa yohk ke sahk sap,” see Lee 1976:49); Maxwell (1982:116) listed this large tree as a “common” member of what he classified phytogeographically on Kosrae as the “Horsfieldia nunu -- Syzygium stelechanthum Habitat Type,” which is “the most extensive forest type on the island.” Maxwell found this habitat and the native large banyan tree “on relatively steep slopes” of Kosrae where “the slope increase typically occurs at an elevation of about 250 m … and extends to about 480 m.” The leaves, fruits, bark and roots of F. prolixa are reportedly are reportedly used in local medicines on Kosrae.
Uses in Kiribati: Although Ficus prolixa, may have been a “native banyan” in Kiribati (see Thaman 1987:32), Apparently, it is no longer present on almost all of the Kiribati coral islands today (note: the native banyan tree, F. prolixa is reportedly known as te kiriaua on the smallest inhabited island in Kiribati, “Tamana in the southern Gilbert [Kiribati] Islands” (see Thaman and Samuelu 2016:76; also see Sigrah and King (2001:238). According to Thaman (1987:6), in Kiribati, te ibi (Inocarpus fagifer,i.e., Tahitian Chestnut), a large leguminous tree with edible fruits, and “te kiriawa (Ficus prolixa?) … are possibly either [both] extinct or only existed in legends.” Thaman (1987:10), also suggested that matching the vernacular names of plants in Kiribati “with the actual species which have been reported to be present in Kiribati (Fosberg and Sachet, 1987), similar plant names or cognates from other Pacific island languages provide some clues.” Thus, Thaman suggested that te aiao might be the Kiribati [name] for F. prolixa since te aiao is closely related linguistically to eaeo or eaeo (i.e., eyayo or yayo), the name used for this large banyan fig tree by the people of Nauru. Note: F. prolixa was a common component on Nauru Island prior to extensive guano mining, especially on emergent limestone pinnacles (Thaman et al. 1994; also see Thaman and Samuelu 2016:25).
Uses in Banaba: Thaman and Samuelu 2016:18) noted that te aioo (or aiyo, i.e., Ficus prolixa) was the only Banaban “name that did not seem to be in the Kiribati language and is similar to and almost certainly a cognate of eyayo or yayo, the Nauruan name for this common native banyan tree” (also see Thaman 1987; Thaman et al. 1994; Thaman et al. 2008a, 2008b). Thaman and Samuelu (2016:76) regarded F. prolixa as indigenous on Banaba Island, where it is uncommon today with “One large tree on the corner turning into the hospital and a couple other trees seen on the margins of the settlement areas and the mined areas.” However, similar to Nauru, “this tree could have been one of the important components of the original pre-mining forest of Banaba, especially on and around emergent limestone pinnacles.” Its aerial or adventious roots are “reportedly used as cordage” on Banaba Island.
Uses in Nauru: Ficus prolixa (Eaeo, Eyayo or Yayo) is the dominant species on the limestone cliffs of the escarpment and on emergent pinnacles on Nauru Island where it is considered to be indigenous (Thaman et al. 1994:10). Indeed, this Pacific Banyan is still found on Nauru in small areas “of older, residual forest…mainly on the gentler slopes of the scarp and at its base” (Buden 2008:9).This large woody tree appears to be one of the only species capable of long-term colonization of residual pinnacles in strip-mined areas such as those on Nauru where guano extraction has had devastating effects; and it could therefore become a dominant in the more severe areas of “disclimax” vegetation (Clarke and Thaman 1993:14). Berry-like “fruit” (synconia known in Nauru as “moduru”) of F. prolixa are sometimes cooked and mixed with “boiled sap (toddy or karawai) from the coconut flower spathe (kamerara) to make a dish [pudding] known as dedangan or dedengan which can keep for two to four weeks, and, if cooked and dried in the sun, will keep for years if stored in a dry place; [in addition the latex sap of F. prolixa] is used as chewing gum (ikumi, kumi)” (Thaman et al. 1994:172, also see Thaman 1992:51).