Ficus subsidens
Content
Description
Shrub, decumbent, creeping, or scandent, laxly branched.
internal hairs absent.
Leaves spirally arranged;
stipules not seen, semi-amplexicaul, caducous.
Fruits lens-shaped, 1-1.2 mm long, smooth, weakly keeled.
Taxonomy
1This species is very similar to F. montana and it is doubtful whether it should be maintained as distinct, considering the variation within F. montana. There are three differences: a finely and regularly denticulate margin of the lamina in F. subsidens versus an entire or coarsely crenate-dentate margin in F. montana, a relatively wide ostiole (2.5-3 mm diam.) surrounded by a distinctly lobate rim in F. subsidens versus a smaller ostiole (c. 1 mm diam.) surrounded by a faintly lobate rim in F. montana, and smooth endocarp bodies in F. subsidens versus tuberculate ones in F. montana.
2The smooth endocarp body is remarkable. It looks similar to the fruits (achenes) of the majority of the species of sect. Sycidium. These bodies are released from the drupelet, a feature characteristic for species of the F. montana-group (see p. 209).