THICK-LEAF FIG Ficus callophylla Blume (1825) SECTION:CONOSYCEA
Latin: Thickened leaf referring to the thick stiff leaves.
Habit: Medium size hemi-epiphyte, especially common in freshwater swamp and coastal districts.
Leaf: The medium size 6-13 x3-6 oval glossy leaves have a small drip tip at the apex.
Fig: Medium fig 0.8 x 1.3 are usually wider than long with a constricted base. The figs ripen green, white, pink to purple with a small peaked ostiole.
Sex: Monoecious.
Similar species: Ficus subcordata figs have thinner larger leaves and the figs are also much larger.
Distinguish:
(1) The leaves of F. callophylla normally have distinct indistinct basal lateral veins whereas Ficus subcordata have no basal veins.
(2) The figs of F. subcordata are considerably larger than F. callophylla.
(3) F. subcordata is uncommon in virgin rainforest and more common in seasonally dry areas such as S E Kalimantan.
Distribution: A generally scarce fig of the coastal lowlands throughout Borneo. Prefers freshwater swamps and river banks.
Sabah: Has been collected on the road to the Babagon Agricultural Station in the Crocker Range, but I could not find it on a recent visit (2017). Present at Deramakot.
Brunei: Especially common in the Belait district of Brunei. An accessible individual grows on the edge of the padang opposite the entrance to the Batang Duri mini zoo at Temburong in Brunei.
Sarawak: Anderson (1980) describes this fig as rare but widespread in the freshwater swamps of Sarawak. At Lambir the 20th most common hemi-epiphyte i.e. very uncommon. Kalimantan:. At Gng Palung described as rare.
Range: Hong Kong south to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, Philippines and Sulawesi.
