Cauliflorous Mass Fruiting of Ficus hispida (Dumar/Lowa) in a Tribal Agroforest Mosaic of Eastern India

A field-based research note documenting a mass fruiting event of Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae) in a semi-rural tribal landscape of Ramgarh, Jharkhand, India. The species exhibited pronounced cauliflory, with dense clusters of immature green syconia emerging directly from the trunk and mature branches. This observation highlights the ecological significance of F. hispida as a keystone species within agroforest mosaics, supporting frugivorous fauna and contributing to seasonal resource pulses. The study also integrates local ethnobotanical knowledge, where the species is known as “Dumar” (Hindi) and “Lowa” (Santhali), reflecting its importance in indigenous food systems and traditional practices. The documented site (24°33′42.07″N, 87°14′57.31″E; ~255 m a.s.l.) represents a tribal agroforest mosaic characterized by smallholder agriculture, scattered tree cover, and human settlements. This preprint contributes to ground-level biodiversity documentation in underrepresented landscapes of eastern India.