| Origins | Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Hainan, Guizhou provinces in China. It also has distribution from South and Southeast Asia to Australia. |
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| Meanings of names | The leaf arrangement of most species under genus Ficus of the family Moraceae are alternate. However, the arrangement of this species is opposite. This special feature has given the plant its name “Opposite-leaved Fig”, which is vivid and easily remembered. The entire plant contains latex, which starts flowing out like milk even the plant is slightly damaged, therefore it is named “Milk Tree (牛乳樹)” and "Milky Boy (牛奶子)” in Chinese. Since its leaves and twigs are covered with coarse hairs that produce a rough texture, the English name "Rough-leaved Stem-fig" was given as well. The species epithet "hispida" in its scientific name also indicates that the plant has hispid indumentum. |
| Ecology | The Opposite-leaved Fig is native to Hong Kong. It is mostly found along river banks, in villages, thickets and wastelands. It is also cultivated as a street tree. |
| Applications | The Opposite-leaved Fig can be used in both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and folk medicine. As a TCM, it exhibits functions of dissipating phlegm, invigorating the spleen, removing dampness, promoting the flow of qi and dispersing stasis. According to Flora of Guangdong, this species was historically applied to cure bronchitis, colds, flus, injuries from falls or swollen and painful sprains in folklore. |
