FICUS SUBPISOCARPA Gagnep (1927) SECTION UROSTOIGMA
The scientific name refers to a similarity with Ficus pisocarpa which is obviously incorrect as there is no similarity at all
The closest relationship is with Ficus superba and in 1965 Corner downgraded F. subpisocarpa to a variety of Ficus superba, var japponica by which this fig is still commonly known in East Asia. However Berg (2005) reinstated the original name.
Habit: A relatively small strangler to 15 m which typically grows on large rocks (lithophytic) often along coasts or on cliffs. Can grow as a stand alone tree. Due to the striking beauty of the ripe figs F. subpisocarpa is frequently grown (or tolerated) in urban areas of SE China including Fujian Province and Hong Kong. See Hill (1967) Ficus subpisocarpa Hong Kong .
A favoured tree of parks and gardens. In Taiwan, Okinawa and the Ryu Kyu islands F. subpisocarpa is one of the most common fig trees.
The figs provide food for many birds and fruit bats including Flying Foxes.
The range overlaps that of Ficus microcarpa which can grow into a huge banyan with many drop down roots.
Where they co-occur Ficus subpisocarpa often grows as a strangler on the trunk of Ficus microcarpa and the two trees become completely entangled with Ficus microcarpa dominant.
RANGE: The native distribution is coastal forests from the north of the Malay Peninsula through Thailand and Vietnam north to Southern Japan.
There is a very odd record from Seram as shown on the map which is probably an introduction.
Note that the range only overlaps Ficus superba along the coasts of Southern Thailand.
Ficus subpisocarpa is not native to Borneo however it is sometimes cultivated by Borneo locals who have obtained plants from visits to Hong Kong, Taiwan or Fujian.
ECOLOGY: As with many Asian figs there is a close mutualistic relationship with ants of several species which predate parasitic non-pollinating fig wasps. The twigs of F. subpisocarpa are hollow, filled with a soft pith which is removed by the ants so that they can use the hollows for food storage and housing.
Bain et al (2012) Ants Nesting within Ficus subpisocarpa in Taiwan