**4. Ecology**

In Egypt, various *Ficus* species are establish in streets, gardens, parks and outside the canal banks. Two of the most favorable fruits are eaten by Egyptian people (*F. carica* and *F. sycomorus*) and also they use *Ficus* in their traditional uses in folk medicine respiratory disorders and certain skin diseases [9, 10].

Mousa et al. [9, 10] detailed that there are about 20 species of *Ficus* native to Egypt; most of them are cultivated as street trees for providing shade (e.g., *F. retusa*) as in Alexandria city, while other species used as ornamental plants (e.g., *F. religiosa*). Edlin and Nimmo [4] proved that the latex (source of rubber) has been found in large quantity in the wood of *Ficus* genus, which is representing one of the largest economical uses of *Ficus* in Egypt.
