ABOVE: This large Ficus kerkhovenii strangling fig is one of four growing on a hill on the opposite side of the Sungai Matang from Long Pasia village in SW Sabah.
Lait Lakong a tourist guide from Long Pasia shows the scale.
A well known characteristic of these large Ficus kerkhovenii fig trees is that the roots often form a “knee” at the base of the trunk. See also this photo of Ficus kerhovenii in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The “knee” may be the result of a seed growing directly from the ground rather than starting off as an epiphyte. However the morphology of Ficus kerkhovenii is very varied and the trees can also grow with a straight trunk without a knee or as a strangler.
This individual Ficus kerkhovenii can be accessed via the Lyang Anang Trail which starts at the suspension bridge over the the Sungai Matang. It is shown as #2.1 in the aerial photo below.
Photos and information provided by Shavez Cheema and Chun Xing WONG of 1Stop Borneo Wildlife.
