Ficus dammaropsis is a common fig endemic to the mountains of New Guinea, first described by Diels in 1933.
In Berg and Corner (2005) Flora Malesiana Vol 17, Part Two, Ficus dammaropsis is described as occurring from the lowlands up to 2,300m.
After extensive research by Z. Ezedin and George Weiblen with the help of local botanist Brus Isua they came to the conclusion that Ficus dammaropsis comprised two species.
A highland species confined to the New Guinea mountains from 850 m to 2,800 m and a separate species confined to the lowlands.
The lowland species was renamed Ficus brusii.
See this paper 2019 Ezedin & Weiblen-Ficus dammaropsis
Fresh figs of Ficus dammaropsis have been recorded as measuring up to 22 x 18 cm which clearly makes F. dammaropsis the world’s largest fig.
This means that Ficus punctata from Tawau Hills in Borneo is relegated to the the status of the world’s second largest fig.
Thanks to Shuai Liao for assistance with this article.
