Mallotus ficifolius

Description

Mallotus ficifolius is a shrub of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae endemic to Northern and Central Queensland, Australia. The species is commonly called Fig Leafed Mallotus The species grows as an understorey and pioneer plant in wetter forest types including rainforest and vine scrub and gallery forest. Plants are typically 1–3 m in height and characterised by broad hairy leaves with serrated or toothed margins. Flowers are inconspicuous and yellow. Fruit are of the lobed type typical of the Euphorbiaceae, approximately 10mm in diameter and covered with rough, spiky projections. First described as a genus in 1790.Two species (M. oppositifolius and M. subulatus) are found in tropical Africa and Madagascar. All the other species are found in East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and certain islands of the western Pacific.