PlantaeHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Ficus pertusa
Padron Fig
L.f.
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A highly adaptive canopy tree or hemiepiphytic 'strangler' fig that can reach up to 30 meters in height. It produces a dense, spreading crown, smooth pale-grey bark, elliptic leaves, and tiny paired spherical syconia (figs) that turn yellow to red or purple when mature.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Tracheophyta
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Magnoliopsida
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Rosales
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Family
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Ficus
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.L.f.
Record Completeness
85%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Growth HabitPhysical form and structure of the plant: tree, shrub, herb, vine, epiphyte, aquatic, etc.
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Leaf TypeLeaf characteristics: deciduous (seasonal shed), evergreen, simple, compound, needle-like, etc.
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Flowering SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Widespread across the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico through Central America down to Brazil and Paraguay. It thrives across a remarkable diverse array of environments, including wet lowland rainforests, montane cloud forests, seasonally dry forests, and heavily disturbed human landscapes.Light & Water NeedsSunlight intensity and moisture levels this plant needs to grow and reproduce successfully. Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Acts as a cornerstone ecological glue. As a continuous provider of resources, its asynchronous fruiting patterns mean that different individual trees produce figs at different times throughout the year, sustaining frugivores during structural food scarcity events.Toxicity / UsesToxic compounds present and their documented effects on humans or other organisms. Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!Physical Measures
Length (cm)
1000.0 - 30000.0 cm
Reproductive StructuresFlowers, fruits, and seeds — the reproductive organs and their seasonal appearance.
Flower Photos (Max 2)
No imageFruit Photos (Max 2)
No imageEvolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Often begins life as an epiphyte in the canopy, sending down aggressive aerial roots that eventually wrap around, fuse, and encase the host tree's trunk, allowing it to bypass intense understory light competition.
Secretes a thick, sticky white latex throughout all vegetative structures that acts as a rapid mechanical sealant and chemical deterrent against folivorous insects and pathogens upon tissue damage.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Highly resilient to forest fragmentation, but local adult populations face elimination in rapidly expanding agricultural borders where intentional clearing and burning of large pasture shade trees occurs.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Every single fig is not an individual fruit, but an inverted internal garden (syconium) containing hundreds of microscopic internal flowers that can only be pollinated by a single, specialized species of obligate mutualist wasp.