Ficus is a pan-tropical genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae. Ficus occupies a wide variety of ecological niches; most are evergreen, but some deciduous species are endemic to areas outside of the tropics and to higher elevations. Fig species are characterized by their unique inflorescence and distinctive pollination syndrome, which utilizes wasp species belonging to the Agaonidae family for pollination. The fruit of most species are edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.

Ficus ilicina commonly known as Laurel Fig in English and Louriervy in Afrikaans is a South African indigenous species with a provincial distribution which extends to the Northern Cape. Its global distribution reaches from southwestern Angola through western Namibia to north western South Africa and is usually found in semi-desert locations and always on rocks, up to an altitude of 1300m. It makes a very attractive bonsai. This tree has whitish-grey bark & elliptic dark green stiff leaves.