Ficus scaberrima - The Rough-Leaf Fig of Borneo
粗葉榕
Dioecious雌雄異株
Name of the Fig Species
- Scientific Name: Ficus scaberrima (Section: Sycidium)
- Local Names: "Rough-leaf fig" (due to its sandpaper-like leaves)
General Description
- Growth Form: Small to medium-sized tree (5 - 15m tall) with a slender trunk and
rough-textured leaves
- Sex: Dioecious - Male and female flowers grow on separate trees
The Fig Fruit and Fig Wasp
- Fruit: Small (0.5 - 1 cm), smooth figs that turn reddish-purple when ripe - Pollinator: Host-specific fig wasps (Ceratosolen spp.) that enter through a tiny hole (ostiole) - Animals that eat figs: Birds (bulbuls, barbets), squirrels, and monkeys
How It Grows and Attaches
- Tree vs. Shrub: Unlike shrubs that stay small, F. scaberrima grows as a single-trunked tree with a distinct canopy - Bark: Pale gray and smooth when young, becoming rough with age - Roots: Forms buttress roots as it matures for stability
Typical Habitat in Borneo
- Where: Common in lowland rainforests throughout Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak,
Kalimantan)
- Soil Preference: Grows well in both clay and sandy soils near rivers
Ecological Role in Borneo Rainforest
- Food Source: Provides year-round figs for frugivores (fruit-eating animals) - Nesting Sites: Birds and insects use its dense foliage for shelter - Forest Regeneration: Helps maintain biodiversity by feeding seed dispersers.
Unique Features or Adaptations
- Leaves: Rough, sandpapery texture (unlike most smooth-leaved figs)
- Fig Color: Bright reddish-purple when ripe - easy for animals to spot
- Fast Growth: One of the quicker-growing fig species in secondary forests
Visual Summary
| Feature | Ficus scaberrima |
F. obscura (Similar Species) |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Texture | Rough, sandpapery | Hairy |
| Fig Color | Reddish-purple | Dark red with white dots |
| Growth Form | Single-trunk tree | Climber/shrub |