Nota male 01 IMG_3269 - Copy.JPG
Ficus nota  is a close relative of Ficus fistulosa and has often been confused in the past. The distribution map   copied from Berg (2005) see below ,shows that Ficus nota is a Philippine fig plant with a limited distribution in the hills of northern Borneo.
Nota 06 IMG_3264 - Copy.JPG
Ficus nota is common higher up in the Crocker Range above 1,000m often close to houses showing that it may have been planted. The female figs are eaten unripe, mixed into a green salad  known locally as “ulam”. Local Kadazans only eat the figs from female trees. This is a male tree in which the figs naturally rot on the tree or fall to the ground uneaten.
Nota 04 IMG_3266 - Copy.JPG
Ficus nota male fig tree showing the ripe figs surrounded by a pile of  woody sawdust type debris used by black ants for shelter. Black ants are often associated with male Sycocarpus fig trees as they feed on the many species of fig wasps  that both pollinate and parasitize the tree.

Nota 07 IMG_3259 - Copy.JPG

Nota 02 IMG_3268 - Copy.JPG

Nota 03 IMG_3261.JPG

Map Nota from Berg 2005 .jpg
This map copied from Berg (2005)  shows that Ficus nota is a Philippine plant which has colonised Northern Borneo perhaps dispersed by bats or possibly introduced by early humans.