FICUS DUBIA Wall ex King (1887) SECTION: CONOSYCEAE
Latin: Dubious or doubtful referring to confusion concerning the correct name.
Habit: Confined to primary forest in the lowlands of Borneo. At Lambir Hills, Harrison et al (2003) described the characteristic growth habits of 17 individuals as being large hemi-epiphytes in the crown of 30m + tall emergent trees. i.e. not stranglers with multiple roots enclosing the trunk of the host tree but canopy epiphytes with at least one large root reaching the ground.
Sex: Monoecious.
Leaves: Medium size oblong leaves 5-15 cm long by 4-7cm wide with a long petiole up to 3.5 cm long.
Fig: The large ovoid (egg shaped) to globose (round) figs are 2-5cm wide with a gourd like neck (stipitate) attached to the terminal branch in pairs. The figs ripen bright crimson and are eaten by hornbills. At Gunung Palung, West Kalimantan, Red Langurs ate the figs and at Lambir Lesser Tree-shrews climbed into the canopy to feed on the ripening figs instead of waiting for them to fall, Shanahan and Compton (2,000).
Ecology: The large figs are especially favored by Helmeted Hornbills and the native range of the two species exactly coincides.
Similar species: None. The very large bright crimson figs with a stipitate neck are unique.
Distinguish: By the shape, size and ripe colour (crimson) of the fig.
Distribution: Widespread but scarce in lowland forests throughout Borneo up to 1200m on Kinabalu.
Sabah: Mesilau-Kinabalu at 1,200m, Madai FR, Mandahan FR, Papar, Danum.
Brunei: Bukit Patoi, Temburong, Brunei Biodiversity Project, Kiudang.
Sarawak: Santubong, Gng Gading, Gng Buri.
Kalimantan: Sengatta, Kutai (Kaltim). Gunung Palung-lots of good photos by Tim Laman. There are no records from , central and south Kalimantan.
Range: Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo, Peninsular Thailand north to Ranong. Singapore: Recorded at Bukit Timah quarry – critically endangered.
