Fig tress (Ficus spp.): Species diversity, medicinal usage and conservation at the Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus

Ficus L. (Moraceae), commonly known as fig, is distributed in diverse ecosystems, especially in tropical and temperate regions.This study was carried out on twenty-four species of Ficus L. based on the morphological observations of taxonomically significant characteristics.Among 24-species, it was found that eighteen species were trees, four were shrubs and two were climbers.F. auriculata had the largest leaves, measuring (24-41×22-35.5cm),followed by F. lyrata(18-45×15-30cm) and F. bengalensis (18-20×8-15cm).In contrast, Ficus retusa had the smallest leaves, with dimensions ranging from 3-7×1-2 cm.The majority of species exhibit both medicinal and commercial applications.Additionally, certain plants are cultivated for ornamental purposes.A total of thirteen species have been classified as "least concerned" while eleven species have not yet been evaluated for their conservation status according to the criteria of IUCN.The present study, which investigates the species diversity within the genus Ficus, offers a valuable foundation for forthcoming endeavors in conservation and management, while also establishing a fundamental reference for subsequent research endeavors.