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Statement of Significance

The site of Brisbane City Botanic Gardens was selected as a public garden in 1828 by New South Wales Colonial Botanist Charles Fraser, three years after the establishment of the European settlement. Originally the garden was planted with food crops to feed the convicts. In 1855, a portion of the land was declared a 'botanic reserve' and Walter Hill was appointed as curator. The Queensland Heritage Register describes the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens as 'the most significant, non-aboriginal cultural landscape in Queensland having a continuous horticultural history since 1828, without any significant loss of land area or change in use over time.' It incorporates Brisbane's most mature gardens and features many rare and unusual species of plants. This specimen of Ficus sp. was planted in 1884 and is one of the many rare figs in the City Botanic Gardens. It had religious significance to the ancient Egyptians, who associated it with Hathor, the goddess of death and rebirth. The timber was often used in the making of the mummy cases found in the pyramids. This tree also has religious significance as it was referred to in the Bible. This particular tree is an excellent example of one of the many figs in the historic gardens that are usually only found commonly in the Middle East and the eastern parts of Africa. It is a good example of its species. It plays an important role in the garden's landscape, being situated in a prominent position near the formal garden, and is a beautiful tree.
It is situated east of the flower garden which is behind the rotunda.