Ficus brunneoaurata is a small tree with large green figs found in secondary forest in the hills of northern Borneo.
This Borneo endemic fig is locally common in secondary and disturbed forest in the Crocker Range and on the hills surrounding Mount Kinabalu. This fig is unusual because despite the fact that the leaves and twigs are covered in dense hairs, the figs themselves are relatively smooth indicating a specialized ecology. Observations indicate that the figs are targeted at dispersal by civets especially the Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata which is also most common in the hills. Both species are most common at altitudes which are covered in clouds by mid afternoon which on the coast of W Borneo starts at around 800m asl. The Kokol Ridge is c. 825 m asl.
The leaves are similar to those of Ficus fulva but these two trees are easily distinguished as Ficus fulva has green stipules whilst the stipules of Ficus brunneoaurata are red or orange.
The Kokol Ridge runs north to south behind the town of Telipok just north of Kota Kinabalu. This is the view from the Kokol ridge eastwards over the Kiulu river valley. The Kiulu River is a tributary of the Tuaran river which flows into the S, China sea near the Shangrila Rasa Ria resort near Tuaran. The Kokol Ridge can be accessed via a steep road up to the telecom tower which is at a high point on the ridge c. 825 m above sea level.
View from the Kokol Ridge looking westwards to Kota Kinabalu and the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Pulau Sulug and Pulau Mamutik on the left and Pulau Manukan on the right.
Due to its proximity to the coast the Kokol Ridge is often below the cloud layer by mid-day resulting in very high rainfall. This climate suits Ficus bruneoaurata just fine but results in frequent landslips and poor road access for visitors.