Ficus heterophylla. Illustration from Flora Indica Roxburgh (1768).
Ficus heterophylla has a very wide natural distribution from Sri Lanka, north through India to Southern China and East to Java.
However in Borneo this fig is confined to river banks in SE Borneo.
There is an isolated record from Pulau Maratua an atoll off the coast of NE Kalimantan.
The closest relative is Ficus montana.
Distinguishing between Ficus montana and Ficus heterophylla.
- Ficus montana leaves are usually symmetric with a heart shaped base. Ficus heterophylla leaves are usually asymmetric with one side of the base distinctly larger than the other .
- Ficus montana The leaves grow in spirals or whorls. Ficus heterophylla The leaves grow in flattened sprays.
- Ficus montana has hollow twigs. Ficus heterophylla twigs are solid.
