Ficus barba-jovis

Ficus barba-jovis 沙巴榕
Root Climber
Dioecious雌雄異株
Endemic of Sabah

2nd LARGEST FIG FRUITS

Ficus barba-jovis 沙巴榕

Ficus barba-jovis 沙巴榕 92.5mm

Found only in Sabah. North Sabah forest endemic

Ficus barba-jovis 沙巴榕 North Sabah forest endemic	Ficus punctata 橙黃榕 Found in South East Asia

Female Fig of Ficus barba-jovis ♀ 92.5mm	Female Fig of Ficus punctata 64.4mm
RIPED FIG of Ficus barba-jovis Dead female fig wasp (pollinator) of Ficus barba-jovis Body length = 2.5mm ♀ Matured (hardened) seed of Ficus barba-jovis 0.25x0.5x1.0mm This Ficus barba-jovis female tree was discovered in Second Fig Garden of Sabah located at Jalan Bukit Tawau (Gudang Empat) in 5th February 2016	UN-RIPE FIG of Ficus punctata
Short and shart hairs but soft to human hand. This extreme macro reveals the remarkable skin surface of *Ficus barba-jovis, one of the largest figs of Borneo. The fruit’s exterior is densely covered with short, stiff hairs — the feature that gives the species its name, barba-jovis, meaning “Beard of Jupiter.” These fine, pale bristles create a distinctly matte, non-shiny texture, clearly separating it from similar species such as Ficus punctata*, which has a smooth and glossy skin. In mature specimens, the fig can exceed 12 cm in diameter, and this hairy surface plays an important biological role. During the early stages of fruit development, non-pollinating fig wasps may pierce through the skin to lay their eggs. This close-up perspective highlights both the tactile character and ecological significance of the fruit’s uniquely bearded exterior.	Smooth without hairs This close-up macro captures the smooth, glossy skin of *Ficus punctata, a large-fruited woody climber commonly found in Borneo. Unlike the hairy surface of Ficus barba-jovis*, the skin here is sleek and shining, with a thick, fleshy texture. Fine speckles scatter across the surface, creating a pattern reminiscent of small oranges or kumquats. As the fruit ripens, its color typically transitions from green to speckled orange or yellow, and eventually to a deep purple-black when overripe. The spotted appearance becomes especially noticeable at the orange stage, as seen in this image. Male figs — which serve as brood chambers for wasps — are generally smaller, darker orange, and more densely speckled than female figs, which often show a more distinct stalk (stipe). Like other figs, the skin and underlying flesh contain milky latex. This latex functions as a natural protective mechanism, deterring insects and animals while the fruit is still unripe.

F. punctata F. barba-jovis 沙巴榕

Range S.E Asia forests and orchards North Sabah forest endemic

Growth habit Large root climbing liana. Roots often free hanging with age Slim roots attached to host trunk Never loose hanging

Leaves growth Bathyphyll and acrophyll leaves very different Leaves relatively uniform

Leaf habit Acrophyll leaves on hanging branches Leaves cover host trunk like overlapping feathers

Leaf side veins Up to 6 usually less. Often more than 6 up to 10

Fig size s Large to 12+ cm diam. Large to 5 cm. diam

Fig position Cauliferous on large bare liana often free hanging Cauliferous surrounded by leaves close to host trunk

Fig colour Uniform orange to dark red Mottled pink and pale yellow like a peach

Hairs on fig Very short, sparse, stiff Dense, soft, mixed long and short

Basal bracts Small, at junction of stalk and stipe Fig has no stipe so the 3 large bracts are on fig itself.

Stipe (neck) on fig Always Rarely?

	*F. punctata*	*F. barba-jovis 沙巴榕*
Range	S.E Asia forests and orchards	North Sabah forest endemic
Growth habit	Large root climbing liana. Roots often free hanging with age	Slim roots attached to host trunk Never loose hanging
Leaves growth	Bathyphyll and acrophyll leaves very different	Leaves relatively uniform
Leaf habit	Acrophyll leaves on hanging branches	Leaves cover host trunk like overlapping feathers
Leaf side veins	Up to 6 usually less.	Often more than 6 up to 10
Fig size s	Large to 12+ cm diam.	Large to 5 cm. diam
Fig position	Cauliferous on large bare liana often free hanging	Cauliferous surrounded by leaves close to host trunk
Fig colour	Uniform orange to dark red	Mottled pink and pale yellow like a peach
Hairs on fig	Very short, sparse, stiff	Dense, soft, mixed long and short
Basal bracts	Small, at junction of stalk and stipe	Fig has no stipe so the 3 large bracts are on fig itself.
Stipe (neck) on fig	Always	Rarely?