Spade-leaf Fig

Description:

Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata) is probably the world's smallest fig species! This is an epiphyte which grows high up in the canopy and produce figs as small as 3mm in diameter only. Unripe fruits are yellow and turns orange then brownish red. Leaves are rounded and very small as well. This species is considered very rare as its tiny size and high-growing locations makes it incredibly hard to spot.

Habitat:

Growing on a host tree (dipterocarp), about 50m high above the canopy in a primary rainforest. This is definitely one of the hardest wild fig species that I have ever found. It took me more than half an hour trying to spot these tiny fruits growing high above in the forest canopy.

Notes:

The 150+ wild fig species in Borneo are really fascinating but this F. excavata is truly spectacular. My organization (1StopBorneo Wildlife) tries to document interesting wild figs during our wildlife expeditions and an awesome find like this is what drives us enthusiastic to keep on looking for more wonders in nature.