Site icon THE FIGS OF BORNEO

Ficus glandulifera: Pulau Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Ficus glandulifera collected next to the trail from Base Camp to Police beach on Gaya Island on 6 September 2019. The leaves are very similar to the leaves of Ficus trichocarpa a common liana but this collection came from a forest tree. The black glands at the base of the leaf stalk (petiole) show that this fig can only be Ficus glandulifera.

All photos by Shuai Liao taken on 4 September 2019. Collection # 20190327.

Ficus glandulifera, The orange arrows point to black glands at the base of the leaf stalk (petiole). These glands are distinctive for Ficus glandulifera. The purpose of these glands  is normally to attract and feed ants. The presence of these mercenary ants  deters herbivores from eating the leaves.

 

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