Malay Earth Fig fruit

A very unique fig species, instead of growing on trees, it grows on long stalks that reaches the ground. That is why it is called an earth fig as you can find the fruits usually low on the tree to be eaten and dispersed by non-climbing ground animals. The fruit shape is also unusual with large bended bracts. The fruit sas a sweet smell when opened.

There are 10 Earth Fig species in Borneo out of the over 150 native fig species.

comments (4)

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

Superb botanical sighting and documentation, great series of images. I really enjoyed viewing and learning of this species. Fascinating that it has evolved to grow with fruits so low, those ground dwellers can do a good job dispersing the seeds. Posted 4 years ago
1. _ChunXingWong_
  
  Lion
  
  Glad you like this. Figs really are fascinating and there is still a lot we can learn about them. Posted 4 years ago

Mark Ridgway

Lion

Is it possible that ground dwellers are more likely to carry a fruit away than tree dwellers? Posted 4 years ago
1. _ChunXingWong_
  
  Lion
  
  Oh yes. That's why this fig is called an earth fig for a reason as the fruits are low on the ground for ground dwellers like deers, pigs, and civets to eat. Tree dwellers like squirrels and birds are usually too small for these large figs and they would also not want to risk it going to the ground. Earth figs really only want ground dwellers to eat it and disperse it back to the ground to grow. If they were successfully eaten by tree dwellers, the seeds may be dispersed in the canopy which makes it hard for this species to grow as it is not an epiphyte. Posted 4 years ago