<p>Ficus semicordata is known as a khanyu (meaning edible fruit) tree in Nepal, and is used locally as a forage tree. Nepalese farmers distinguish two kinds of khanyu based on the fodder quality: khasro and rai. Farmers tend to prefer rai khanyu because they believe that livestock fed with this give higher milk yields, whereas khasro khanyu has an adverse effect on milk production and tends to reduce it. Earlier taxonomists did not mention the local names. Detailed taxonomic and ecological studies revealed that two varieties of khanyu occur in Nepal: the typical var. semicordata (khasro khanyu) and var. montana (rai khanyu).</p>