Ficus carrii: Bukit Burong, Kinabalu

This photo of mountain forest with Kinabalu in the background was taken from the car park next to Kinabalu Park HQ.

Bukit Burong is a hill top part of the ridge that crosses from left to right in the photo above. In front of the ridge is the Silau Silau stream valley. At the back of the ridge is the Liwagu river valley. The montane forest that surrounds Kinabalu Park HQ has a very extensive and excellent trail system. These trails are used by birdwatchers to search for 3 rare birds, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter and Whitehead’s Trogon. The trails can also be used by Sycophiles (fig lovers) to search for some of the world’s most interesting and rare figs.

03 Ridgetop montane forest at Kinabalu Park HQ P1070112.JPG — The trail along the ridge top which divides the Silau Silau and Liwagu river valleys at Kinabalu Park HQ. Despite the scrappy looking trees this forest is the most diverse forest on Plant Earth for many species including figs and oaks, rhododendrons and orchids .

One of the world’s rarest and most interesting figs, Ficus carrii can be found growing next to this trail.

01 Collecting Ficus carrii Bukit Burung Trail●20190370★ Shuai LIAO-LSL_9337 — A *Ficus carrii* liana growing up a dead tree next to the Bukit Burong trail at Kinabalu Park HQ.

All fig photos are by Shuai LIAO taken on 8 September 2019. Collection # 20190370. Collected with the assistance of Postar Miun and a botanical team from the Sandakan herbarium.