Ficus lawesii is a very large strangler often unrecognized when not fruiting. However this fig is easily recognized by vegetative features alone.
Listed below are the distinctive vegetative spot characters of Ficus lawesii.
- Exceptionally long, thin, smooth, pale green stipules .
- Petiole (leaf stalk) thick long and very straight with no bending at the junction with the leaf blade.
- Side veins are relatively flat at the junction with the mid-rib.
- The tertiary veins are very prominent, almost tessellate.
- The basal veins are weak. The base of the leaf is slightly cordate (heart shaped).
- The leaves decay a very uniform pale yellow.
All photos by Shuai LIAO taken on 18 September in the forest adjacent to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge which fronts the Kinabtangan river. Collection #20190470
