These are fruits of the Ficus Nota tree.
Locally known as Tibig in Tagalog and in Ilocano folks – we call it Tebbeg.
It is Native to the Philippines and also a native to Borneo.
Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr. is the scientific name.
Tibig is an endemic species occassionally found in the thickets at low and medium altitudes. It is also found in dry woods throughout the Philippines.
Tibig is a member of the Ficus genus making it a close relation of the European fig, the tropical fig (Ficus septica), and the wild Punjabi fig.
Tibig Ficus Nota is a useful tree. The fruit grows on short stems from the branches and stem of the tree.
The fruits are born in large dense clusters along the stem and large branches, and measure 2 to 3.5 cm in diameter.
Ripe fruits are edible and maybe eaten with sugar and cream. Young leaves are eaten as vegetable. A drinkable water can be obtained from a freshly cut stem.
The tree is used for firewood and for making charcoal and is also used medicinally here in the Philippines.
Ficus Nota can release thousands of liters of water per year.
Tibig is a nurse tree and a water collector. It’s roots are sponge-like that absorbs water during the rainy season and releases water during summer.
It grows abundantly in farm.
They say that the presence of a tibig tree is an indicator of the presence of water in the vicinity.
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