Ficus stricta: Common river fig at Sg Matang, Long Pasia, Sabah

This giant Ficus stricta strangler dominates the floodplain forest along the banks of the Sungai Matang at Long Pasia in Sabah.

It is most likely that this fig started life as flotsam fig on the bank of the river before the river channel  moved away leaving the growing fig tree behind. Whilst the river flow disperses figs downstream the local fish will also disperse the seeds upstream. It is a well known fact that many river fish spawn in the headwaters of their river. This dual dispersal system explains why so many Bornean figs can be found growing on river banks or on river floodplains.

Photos and information provided by Shavez Cheema and Chun Xing WONG of 1Stop Borneo Wildlife.