FICUS SUMATRANA Ficus sumatrana Miq. (1867) SECTION: CONOSYCEAE
Latin: Ficus sumatrana Form B was originally described by Corner (1959) as Ficus palaquiifolia based on the appearance of a fruiting branch (see herbarium collection below) which is similar to the appearance of a fruiting branch of Palaquiium gutta (Sapotacea).
Habit: Large strangler to 30 m, most common in the hills and mountains of N. Borneo up to 1600 m. Now very scarce in areas where it was once common
Leaves: Small spirally arranged leaves, 4-10 cm (up to 14 cm) long x 1.5-5 cm wide with a petiole (leaf stalk) normally up to 1 cm but occasionally up to 2. cm long. The leaves are stiff and glossy with an obvious pair of basal veins but lightly defined parallel side veins.
Fig: Small 0.3-1 cm, sessile (no stalk) in pairs in the leaf axils. Figs ripen green to orange to red. Basal bracts large and obvious. In contrast to Ficus borneensis the tiny figs are round whilst F. borneensis figs are oblong.
Sex: Monoecious.
Similar species: Ficus delosyce, and Ficus borneensis
Distingush: F. sumatrana is characterized by very plain even leaf venation in which the tertiary veins run more or less parallel to the main veins.
- F. delosyce has a peaked area around the ostiole and the leaf venation is more prominent. The figs ripen pink with a prominent peaked ostiole
- F. borneensis: The leaf is small and oval shaped. The fig is oblong not round.
Distribution: Uncommon in the lowlands but previously a common fig on the slopes of Kinabalu including the Tenompok Pass near Kinabalu Park HQ.
Sabah: Previously common on Kinabalu including the forest around Kinabalu Park HQ
