Ficus copiosa is a common small tree of secondary forest, forest edge and small islands which probably evolved in New Guinea.
The photo above shows two distinctive features
(1) The leaf stalks (petioles) are long and straight and very variable in length.
(2) There are hairy bands of dark circular glands at both the top and bottom of the petiole whilst the center of the petiole is normally bare. This feature varies from leaf to leaf and plant to plant but when this feature is present it makes this fig very easy to distinguish.
There are as yet no records west of Sulawesi, however it is entirely possible that this fig could occur on the east coast of Borneo. Figs evolved west of Borneo in what is now the Himalayas and reached Borneo and New Guinea originally from the east. Ficus copiosa is therefore a member of about a dozen figs which evolved on the islands east of Borneo and could cross back into Borneo across Wallace’s Line in reverse.
Important Note: Both the young leaves and the ripe female figs are edible by humans so it is entirely possible that the distribution of this fig as shown in the map below has been aided by humans.
