Ficus L. subg. Synoecia (Miq.) Miq. sect. Rhizocladus Endl. subsect. Punctulifoliae Sata
Description
Staminate and neuter flowers near the ostiole.
Stamens 2, with the lower parts of the filaments connate;
Distribution
Asian mainland present, Australasia, Malesian region present, Solomon Islands present
This subsection comprises 25 species, all occurring in the Malesian region; some species with extensions to the Asian mainland, others with extensions to Australia and/or the Solomon Islands.
Morphology
In F. insculpta, F. jacobsii, and F. odoardii the hairs, in particular those on the fig receptacle, become more or less easily detached from the swollen bases and are irritant.
Taxonomy
Within this subsection two major sets of species can be recognized:
- a. Ficus baeuerlenii-group — Tertiary venation scalariform to reticulate. Figs axillary (or just below the leaves or in F. odoardii also rami- to cauliflorous), in pairs or solitary; basal bracts mostly caducous; ostiole mostly sunken.
Distribution — Comprising 13 species; centred in the eastern Malesian region; 10 species in New Guinea, two of them extending to the Moluccas, one extending to the Solomon Islands. This group comprises: F. ampulliformis, F. baeuerlenii, F. colobocarpa, F. devestiens, F. floccifera, F. fuscata, F. hypobrunnea, F. insculpta, F. jacobsii, F. odoardii, F. ovatacuta, F. oxymitroides, and F. sageretina.
Note — Ficus odoardii would fit in the F. villosa-group because of the position of the figs, but the presence of irritating hairs and the tuft of hairs around the ostiole are indications that it is closest to some members of the F. baeuerlenii-group. - b. Ficus villosa-group — Tertiary venation scalariform (but in F. pantoniana reticulate to subscalariform). Figs axillary or below the leaves (ramiflorous, or sometimes to cauliflorous?), on spurs which already develop in the leaf axils, in pairs or solitary, or often also clustered, often already in the leaf axils), with persistent or caducous basal bracts, the ostiole slightly sunken, flat or prominent.
Distribution Comprising 13 species; centred in the western Malesian region, all lowland species; F. sagittata extends to the Asian mainland; F. camptandra is confined to New Guinea and the Moluccas; and F. pantoniana ranges from the Moluccas to New Britain and Australia (Queensland).
Notes — 1. The figs are often clustered, mostly already in the leaf axils if the figs are small, but if they are relatively large, then even on spurs usually not more than 2 occur simultaneously.
2. This group can be divided into two main subgroups: - a. Ficus villosa-subgroup — Lamina not foveolate beneath; cystoliths on both surfaces. Ostiole mostly slightly sunken. This subgroup comprises: F. camptandra, F. odoardii, F. pantoniana, F. pendens, F. recurva, F. sabahana, F. sagittata, F. spiralis, and F. villosa.
- b. Ficus excavata-subgroup — Lamina (sub)foveolate beneath; cystoliths only beneath or above. Ostiole mostly slightly prominent to flat. This subgroup comprises: F. araneosa, F. excavata, F. lanata, and F. supperforata.
Note — The lower surface may vary from clearly foveolate to hardly so in both F. araneosa and F. lanata. In these two species the areoles are minutely bullate, like in F. villosa.