Site icon THE FIGS OF BORNEO

Kinabatangan River: Six common figs

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ABOVE: Ficus albipila is a very large forest tree frequently mistaken for Koompasia (Local name: Mengaris) bee trees. Giant bees Apis dorsata use both F. albipila and 2 species of Koompasia  to hang their nests.

Note that all the fig trees in this article were photographed from a boat on the Kinabatangan River by Quentin Phillipps.

Ficus racemosa  (Local name Tangkol merah) is the Kinabatangan’s most common fig tree  growing along the edge of the bank. This fig only grows in full sun and is not tall enough to survive in the interior of the flood plain forest.
The bright red figs of Ficus racemosa  are eaten by many mammals including Proboscis Monkey, Macaques, Orangutans, Elephants, and Civets. Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbills also eat the fruit.
Ficus caulocarpa here growing on a limestone cliff near Sukau is a common forest tree along the Kinabatangan River
Ficus caulocarpa: The tiny fig fruit ripen white to pink
Ficus benjamina (Local name: Waringin). Waringin  fig trees can be easily recognized from their drooping branches and leaves giving a “weeping effect” hence the english name Weeping Fig.
Waringin fig fruits. The leaves do not have clear side veins.
Ficus microcarpa (Local name: Jejawi). Jejawi is one of the most common fig trees in coastal districts throughout Borneo as it can survive in brackish (part salty) water.
Another example of Jejawai (Ficus microcarpa) growing in Nipa palm forest at Abai near the mouth of the Kinabatangan

 

(LEFT) Jejawai Ficus microcarpa (RIGHT) Waringin Ficus benjamina
Ficus crassiramea growing  almost opposite the entrance to Sg Koyah downstream from Danau Girang. F. crassiramea is the most common large strangling fig in the Kinabatangan floodplain forest.
Fig fruit of Ficus crassiramea. F. crassiramea is closely related to Ficus stupenda another common large strangler on the Kinabatangan. F. stupenda has  much larger leaves and figs. Both species can be recognized  by the distinctive basal veins (at the base of the leaf blade) which  start in a “Y” shape.  See above

 

 

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