Ficus consociata and Ficus bracteata are closely related species of figs both in Section Conosycea (stranglers).
This article is about the different appearance of the leaf glands between the two fig species.
One of the defining characteristics of Section Conosycea figs is that they all possess a single waxy gland at the base of the mid-rib on the underside of of the leaf. See this example of a typical waxy gland on the underside of a leaf of a cultivated Ficus benjamina.
All fig species have leaf glands of one sort or another. The majority secrete a thin layer of wax which attracts ants which feed on the wax. It is believed that the presence of the ants deters leaf eating insects which would damage the plant.
The first 4 photos below are all of waxy glands on the upper surface of the leaves of Ficus bracteata.
The glands on Ficus bracteata are surrounded by a prominent pale patch of leaf tissue. This is not typical of Section Conosycea glands.
The fifth photo shows a Ficus consociata leaf with a similar but much less obvious pale patch.
The sixth and final photo is of a gland on the underside of a Ficus consociata leaf which is similar in appearance to a more typical Section Conosycea gland.
