Spade Leaf Fig

Ficus excavata

Ficus excavata is a species of fig in the family Moraceae. It is one of Borneo's smallest figs.
World's Smallet Fig ! 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. 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 find these tiny fruits growing 50 meters above in the forest canopy. 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. 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. More photos of Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata): https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105156/spade_leaf_fig_size.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105148/spade_leaf_figs_spade_leaf.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105146/spade_leaf_fig_distance_perspective.html Ficus excavata,Geotagged,Malaysia,Spade Leaf Fig,Summer

Appearance

One of Borneo’s smallest figs 0.3-0.5 cm in pairs or small clusters on the branches without stalks (sessile), which ripen red.
Spade Leaf Fig distance perspective A little something I made showing how high up and tiny these are! Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata) is probably the world's smallest fig species! This is an epyphite which grows high up in the canopy and produce figs as small as 3mm in diameter only. 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 find these tiny fruits growing 50 meters above in the forest canopy. 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. 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. More photos of Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata): https://www.jungledragon.com/image/104994/worlds_smallet_fig_.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105147/spade_leaf_fig_with_cute_leaf.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105158/spade_leaf_fig_fallen_fruits.html Ficus excavata,Geotagged,Malaysia,Spade Leaf Fig

Distribution

Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo.
Spade Leaf Fig fallen fruits Collected fruits fallen on the ground. Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata) is probably the world's smallest fig species! This is an epyphite which grows high up in the canopy and produce figs as small as 3mm in diameter only. 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 find these tiny fruits growing 50 meters above in the forest canopy. 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. 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. More photos of Spade Leaf Fig (Ficus excavata): https://www.jungledragon.com/image/104994/worlds_smallet_fig_.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105150/spade_leaf_fig_rounded_leaves.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105155/spade_leaf_fig_unripe.html Ficus excavata,Geotagged,Malaysia,Spade Leaf Fig,Summer

Habitat

An uncommon, but widespread, root climber up tree trunks with distinctively shaped leaves and tiny figs.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

https://borneoficus.info/2017/02/26/ficus-excavata-introduction/
Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderRosales
FamilyMoraceae
GenusFicus
SpeciesFicus excavata
Photographed in
Malaysia