LEPTOGRAMMA Ficus leptogramma Corner 1960 SECTION SYCIDIUM
Greek: Slender streaks – referring to the striated stipules
Habit: Small to medium sized tree to 20 m with drooping branches. Normally found in the understorey of virgin forest not secondary forest. Identify from the numerous large groups of reddish brown cauliferous figs which are attached to the trunk from ground level upwards. Note: The photos in this article are of a male tree at Ulu Tongod in Central Sabah, taken by Linus Gokusing.
Leaves: In flat planes (distichous) with slightly wavy edges. The basal veins are relatively short and closely follow the edge of the leaf to up to 1/4 of the leaf length.
Fig Fruits: Medium size (1.5-2.0 cm) with relatively long stalks ripening from cream to orange to dark red in females . Male figs ripen a dirty yellow brown. The figs are attached to permanent patches of rough calloused wood.
Similar Species: Ficus virescens another Borneo endemic which is found in similar montane forest habitat on Kinabalu. The patches of cauliferous reddish/orange/brown figs on the trunk look very similar.
Distinguish: By the differences in the leaves and branches: F. virescens has upward pointing branches with large leaves that grow in whorls.
