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A taxonomic revision of the Australian
Ficus species in the section Malvanthera
(Ficus subg. Urostigma: Moraceae)
Dale J. Dixon
Abstract
Dixon, D.J. (Tropical Plant Sciences, School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville,
Queensland 4811, Australia. Rainforest CRC, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia.
Permanent address: Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston,
NT 0831, Australia.) 2003. A taxonomic revision of the Australian Ficus species in the section Malvanthera
(Ficus subg. Urostigma: Moraceae). Telopea 10(1): 125–153. A revision of the Australian Urostigma
sect. Malvanthera Corner (Ficus: Moraceae) is presented. Seventeen taxa in fourteen species are
recognised. These are: Ficus atricha D.J.Dixon, F. brachypoda (Miq.) Miq., F. cerasicarpa D.J.Dixon,
F. crassipes F.M.Bailey, F. destruens F.Muell. ex C.T.White, F. lilliputiana D.J.Dixon f. lilliputiana,
F. lilliputiana f. pilosa D.J.Dixon, F. macrophylla Desf. ex Pers. f. macrophylla, F. macrophylla f. columnaris
(C. Moore) D.J.Dixon, F. obliqua G.Forst., F. platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq., F. pleurocarpa F.Muell.,
F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent. f. rubiginosa, F. rubiginosa f. glabrescens (F.M.Bailey) D.J.Dixon,
F. subpuberula Corner, F. triradiata Corner, and F. watkinsiana F.M.Bailey. F. watkinsiana F.M. Bailey
is lectotypified. Malvanthera subser. Hesperidiiformes is raised to the rank of series. The taxonomy
of Urostigma sect. Malvanthera is strongly supported by the pollinator wasp association. Pollinator
wasp associations are given for each species. A formal rearrangement of the Australian and the
New Guinea species in Urostigma sect. Malvanthera is presented. Keys to the series and species now
recognised in Urostigma sect. Malvanthera are provided. Descriptions, notes, and distribution maps
are provided for the Australian species.
Introduction
Ficus is a large pantropical genus divided by Corner (1959a, 1959b, 1959c, and 1959d)
into four subgenera, two of which, Ficus subgen. Ficus and Ficus subgen. Urostigma are
well represented in Australia. The two remaining subgenera, Ficus subgen.
Pharmacosycea and Ficus subgen. Sycomorus are each represented by only one species,
F. albipida (Miq.) King and F. racemosa L. respectively. The taxa associated with the Ficus
subgen. Ficus are commonly referred to in Australia as sandpaper figs while the
members of the Ficus subgen. Urostigma are called stranglers or banyans. Each
subgenus is further divided into sections, series and subseries. In a modification of the
classification by Corner (op. cit.), Ramirez (1977a) rearranged the infrageneric
classification to better reflect the wasp specificity and morphology, and the pollination
ecology, morphology and physiology of the figs. In this classification Ramirez (1977a)
expanded Ficus subg. Sycomorus to include among others, the Ficus sections
Adenosperma and Neomorphe, each with representatives in Australia. Similarly, Berg
(1989) discussed the validity of Corner’s classification and proposed two groups
within Ficus based on morphological and functional traits connected with the
pollination ecology of the figs. In the classification of Berg (1989), two main groups
were recognised, a monoecious group consisting of the Ficus subgenera Pharmacosycea
and Urostigma, and a mainly (gyno)dioecious group consisting of the subgenera Ficus
and Sycomorus. Weiblen (2000) provided phylogenetic insights into Ficus classification
based on ITS sequences and morphology agreeing in part with Ramirez (1977a) and
125
Berg (1989). Despite the fact that infrageneric rearrangements have been proposed
subsequent to Corner (op. cit.), the monophyly of Urostigma sect. Malvanthera has been
maintained by Weiblen (2000).
Ficus has previously been treated in the Flora of Australia (Chew 1989) and was
considered to consist of 41 species. Since the Flora of Australia treatment various taxa
in the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera as well as their associated pollinator wasps have
been revised (Dixon 2001a; Dixon 2001b; Dixon 2001c; Dixon et al. 2001; Lopez-
Vaamonde et al. 2002). In addition, the species Ficus subnervosa Corner, previously
considered to be endemic to Papua New Guinea, has been found on Cape York
Peninsula, such that the key to Ficus by Chew (1989) may prove unworkable. This
work finalises the taxonomic account of the Australian taxa in the Urostigma sect.
Malvanthera providing a better understanding of the relationships between the fig taxa
and their pollinator wasp(s) species.
Methods
This revision of the Australian Urostigma sect. Malvanthera is based on the
examination of 1638 herbarium collections from AD, BM, BRI, CANB, DNA, FI, G,
JCT, K, L, LAE, MANCH, MEL, NSW, PERTH, QRS, SING, and U. I have seen and
collected all Australian species including their pollinator wasps. These specimens are
at JCT and DNA.
Taxonomic History
Fig species occurring in the Ficus subgen. Urostigma can be distinguished primarily by
their habit. This subgenus is perhaps the easiest of the four subgenera to recognise for
this is the banyan or strangling group of Ficus (Ramirez, 1977b). The epiphytic and
lithophytic habit of the species in this subgenus, commonly produce aerial,
adventitious, or creeping root systems. In addition, the wall of the syconium has an
inner and outer layer of scleritic cells. Corner (1959a) established the Urostigma sect.
Malvanthera, based on the following characters: an ostiole with two or three lobes with
inflexed bracts; syconia with two or three basal bracts; reniform unilocular anthers
with crescentic or transverse dehiscence; ovaries that are attached by their base to the
wall of the syconium, or embedded in the wall of the syconium; a red spot at the apex
or the base of the ovary; and a stigma that is either simple or bifid. The section was
further subdivided into two series:
1. Malvanthera ser. Malvanthereae: with reniform anthers that dehisce crescentically,
containing four subseries. Members of this series are wide-spread, being distributed
throughout Australasia and eastern Malaysia (Corner 1965).
(i) Malvanthereae subser. Malvanthereae: with 2 (3?) large caducous basal bracts;
pedunculate syconia; ovaries that are partially immersed in the wall of the syconium.
The taxa included are: F. macrophylla Desf. ex Pers., F. glandifera Summerh.,
F. watkinsiana F.M. Bailey, F. baileyana Domin, and F. rhizophoriphylla King.
(ii) Malvanthereae subser. Platypodeae: with 2 or 3 large caducous basal bracts;
pedunculate or sessile syconia; ovaries that are attached by their base to the wall of
126 Telopea 10(1): 2003
the syconium. The taxa included are: F. platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq., F.
leucotricha (Miq.) Miq., F. obliqua G. Forst., F. subpuberula Corner, F. destruens F. Muell.
ex C. T. White, and F. rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent.
(iii) Malvanthereae subser. Hesperidiiformes: with 3 small persistent basal bracts. The
taxa included are F. hesperidiiformis King, F. augusta Corner, F. xylosycia Diels,
F. mafuluensis Summerh., F. heteromeka Corner, F. pleurocarpa F. Muell., and F. crassipes
F. M. Bailey.
(iv) Malvanthereae subser. Eubracteatae: with 3 large persistent basal bracts; pedunculate
or sessile syconia; ovaries that are attached by their base to the wall of the syconium.
Represented by one species, Ficus triradiata Corner.
2. Malvanthera ser. Cyclanthereae: with depressed globose anthers that dehisce
transversely; ovaries that are partially immersed in the wall of the syconium.
Represented by one species, Ficus sterrocarpa Diels which is restricted to eastern New
Guinea (Corner 1965).
Difficulties with the infrasectional classification
There are approximately equal numbers of species in three of the four subseries, the
exception being Ficus triradiata which is the sole member of Malvanthereae subser.
Eubracteateae. It is the only species with large persistent basal bracts. The three
remaining subseries, the subser. Malvanthereae, subser. Hesperidiiformes, and subser.
Platypodeae were defined rather loosely by persistence and size of the basal bracts.
Thus it was easy to distinguish Malvanthereae subser. Hesperidiiformes, with small
inconspicuous persistent basal bracts, from Malvanthereae subser. Malvanthereae and
Malvanthereae subser. Platypodeae which have relatively larger caducous basal bracts.
However, distinguishing the latter two subseries from each another is much more
difficult. The only difference was whether the ovaries were attached by their base to
the wall of the syconium, or were partially imbedded in the syconium wall (Corner
1959a). Also Corner (1965) may have later doubted the validity of his classification as
he included F. crassipes and F. pleurocarpa in the key to the subser. Malvanthereae as well
as the subser. Hesperidiiformes. A new infrasectional classification is proposed.
There are 14 Australian species recognised in the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera. A
comparison of the classification of Chew (1989) and this research is presented in Table
1. Ficus lilliputiana was treated by Dixon (2001a), F. macrophylla (Dixon 2001b), F. obliqua
and F. rubiginosa (Dixon et al. 2001), and F. atricha, F. cerasicarpa, F. platypoda and
F. brachypoda (Dixon 2001c). Species descriptions are presented for the following taxa:
F. crassipes, F. destruens, F. pleurocarpa, F. subpuberula, F. triradiata, and F. watkinsiana. For
each species there is a discussion on etymology, nomenclature where necessary,
distribution and ecology, and conservation status. Distributional ranges are provided
for each taxon. In species where infraspecific taxa are described, a key to their
identification is given. Plates and illustrations found in other texts are listed so that
these texts can be updated with the correct nomenclature where necessary. The
pollinator wasp of each Ficus species is also given. The author abbreviations for the
plant taxa follow Brummitt and Powell (1992).
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 127
Table 1. A comparison of the classification of Chew (1989) and this research.
Ficus taxa recognised by Chew (1989) Accepted name this research
F. platypoda var. minor F. brachypoda
F. platypoda var. lacnocaulon
F. obliqua var. puberula
F. platypoda var. cordata F. atricha
F. rubiginosa F. rubiginosa f. rubiginosa
F. platypoda var. leichhardtii
F. obliqua var. petiolaris
F. baileyana
Not recognised F. rubiginosa f. glabrescens
F. obliqua var. obliqua F. obliqua
Not recognised F. cerasicarpa
F. platypoda var. platypoda F. platypoda
F. leucotricha var. leucotricha
F. leucotricha var. megacarpa
F. leucotricha var. sessilis
Not recognised F. lilliputiana f. lilliputiana
Not recognised F. lilliputiana f. pilosa
Morphology
Basal bract form: The developing syconia are axillary and occur in pairs. At its
junction with the peduncle, the syconium is subtended by either two or three basal
bracts. These bracts are valvate or imbricate, either large and completely enclosing the
developing syconium, or reduced and never enclosing the developing syconium. For
the majority of the species these bracts are caducous; however, in two species they
remain persistent for the life of the fig. In previous taxonomic treatments on this
section, the basal bract number was considered to be fixed for each species and was
used as an important character in delimiting some species, especially F. obliqua and
F. platypoda with supposedly two and three basal bracts respectively (Corner 1965).
I have found that the basal bract number is variable within some species in this section
of Ficus and is therefore not a reliable character for species delimitation.
Basal veins of lamina: There may or may not be distinct lateral veins present at the
base of the lamina. These veins diverge from the midvein at a different angle from the
remainder of the lateral veins and were measured separately. The measurement taken
was the displacement from the midrib. Basal veins are very distinct in the rainforest
species, but indistinct in the deciduous vine thicket species.
Number of lateral veins: Both the major and minor lateral veins diverging from the
midvein were counted. I could never consistently agree with the number of lateral
veins recorded by Corner in his descriptions. Thus for consistency I counted both the
major and minor lateral veins diverging off the midrib. The major lateral veins curve
inside the margin and join with the next major vein. The minor lateral veins are those
between two major veins.
128 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Habit: The Urostigma sect. Malvanthera contains species that are hemi-epiphytic
trees, erect free-standing trees or shrubs, lithophytic trees or shrubs, or lithophytic
prostrate shrubs.
Intercostal region of lamina: The intercostal region between the tertiary veins on the
abaxial surface of the lamina can either be sunken to form areolae as is found in
F. cerasicarpa and F. platypoda, or flat as is found in the remainder of the species in the
Urostigma sect. Malvanthera.
Key to the series in Urostigma sect. Malvanthera
1. Basal bracts imbricate...................................................................................... 1. ser. Malvanthereae
Basal bracts valvate .................................................................................... 2. ser. Hesperidiiformes
Series Descriptions
1. Malvanthera ser. Malvanthereae Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore, 17: 375 (1959). Type:
Ficus macrophylla Desf. ex Vent.
Malvanthereae subser. Platypodeae Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore, 17: 375 (1959). Type:
Ficus platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq.
Basal bracts imbricate. Stigma simple.
For included species refer to Table 2.
Malvanthera ser. Malvanthereae
This series consists of taxa, with imbricate basal bracts. The Australian species in this
series are F. platypoda, F. cerasicarpa, F. atricha, F. subpuberula, F. lilliputiana, F. brachypoda,
F. destruens, F. macrophylla, F. rubiginosa, F. obliqua, and F. watkinsiana. With the
exception of F. obliqua and F. brachypoda all species are endemic to Australia.
Table 2. The infrasectional arrangement of the taxa belonging to the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera.
Malvanthera ser. Malvanthereae Malvanthera ser. Hesperidiiformes
Species with imbricate basal bracts Species with valvate basal bracts
F. macrophylla F. hesperidiiformis
F. platypoda F. triradiata
F. cerasicarpa F. sterrocarpa
F. atricha F. mafuluensis
F. subpuberula F. heteromeka
F. lilliputiana F. crassipes
F. brachypoda F. xylosycia
F. destruens F. augusta
F. rubiginosa F. glandifera
F. obliqua F. pleurocarpa
F. rhizophoriphylla
F. watkinsiana
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 129
Biogeography: There appear to be two diverging groups in this series, a hemi-epiphytic
rainforest group represented by F. destruens, F. watkinsiana, and F. macrophylla, and a
lithophytic deciduous vine thicket group represented by F. platypoda, F. brachypoda,
F. cerasicarpa, F. atricha, and F. lilliputiana. The later group also shows strong
biogeographical support with all the taxa found in deciduous vine thickets on the
sandstone escarpments of central and north-western Australia. Ficus rubiginosa and F.
obliqua are not obligate hemi-epiphytes, neither are they restricted to rainforest. They can
also occur as lithophytes and hemi-epiphytes in deciduous vine thickets. Ficus destruens
is also not restricted to the rainforest. It is often found as a hemi-epiphyte in ecotonal
areas adjacent to rainforest. These taxa suggest the occurrence of transition species
between the hemi-epiphytic taxa and the lithophytic taxa and thus preclude the
recognition of two subseries within the series.
2. Malvanthera ser. Hesperidiiformes (Corner) D.J.Dixon stat. nov.
Malvanthereae subser. Hesperidiiformes Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore, 17: 375 (1959).
Type: Ficus hesperidiiformis King.
Malvanthera ser. Cyclanthereae Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore, 17: 375 (1959). Type: Ficus
sterrocarpa Diels.
Malvanthereae subser. Eubracteatae Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore, 17: 375 (1959). Type:
Ficus triradiata.
Basal bracts valvate. Stigma bifid except F. glandifera.
For included species refer to Table 2.
Australia has high levels of endemism in the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera (Corner
1958). Berg (1989) considered northern Australia to be the centre of distribution for
the section.
Malvanthera ser. Hesperidiiformes
This series consists of taxa with valvate basal bracts. All the species in this series are
rainforest hemi-epiphytes from Australia, New Guinea, and the New Britain,
Solomon, and New Hebrides island groups. Three species, F. triradiata, F. crassipes, and
F. pleurocarpa, are endemic to the closed forests of the Australian wet tropics.
Pollinator Wasps
The group of wasps that pollinate the florets of the numerous Ficus species belong to
the Hymenopteran subfamily Agaoninae. At the sectional level of Ficus, with all but a
few exceptions, Wiebes (1994) was able to show that related Ficus species have related
genera of pollinator wasps. The Ficus species in the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera are
pollinated by wasps of the genus Pleistodontes Saunders (Wiebes 1994). The Indo-
Australian fig wasps have recently been treated by Wiebes (1994) who provided keys
and descriptions of the wasp species presently known. Within the Urostigma sect.
Malvanthera Wiebes (1994) recorded the same species of pollinator wasp from different
species of Ficus and as such provided evidence for exceptions to the 1: 1 rule for fig
wasp/host specificity. With the revision of the Australian Urostigma sect. Malvanthera
and the pollinator wasp genus Pleistodontes now complete, I consider that much of the
confusion over the wasp/host specificity was generated by unsatisfactory and
incomplete taxonomies. For example, Table 3 compares the discrepancies that existed
between the classifications of Chew (1989) and Wiebes (1994) and how the taxa are
treated by this research and Lopez-Vaamonde et al. (2002).
130 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Table 3. The Ficus species of the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera and the taxa recognised by Chew
(1989) with their wasp pollinators (Pleistodontes spp.) as recognised by Wiebes (1994) compared
with this research and the classification of Lopez-Vaamonde et al. (2002).
Ficus taxa recognised Pleistodontes spp. Accepted name Pleistodontes spp.
by Chew (1989) recorded by this research recorded by Lopez-
Wiebes (1994) Vaamonde et al.
(2002)
F. rubiginosa P. imperialis F. rubiginosa P. imperialis
F. obliqua var. obliqua P. greenwoodi F. obliqua P. greenwoodi
P. xanthocephalus
F. obliqua var. petiolaris P. imperialis F. rubiginosa P. imperialis
F. obliqua var. puberula not known F. brachypoda P. macrocainus
F. platypoda var. platypoda not known F. platypoda P. cuneatus
F. platypoda var. not determined P. proximus F. lillputiana P. proximus
F. platypoda var. angustata P. imperialis F. rubiginosa P. imperialis
F. platypoda var. minor P. greenwoodi F. brachypoda P. macrocainus
F. platypoda var. lachnocaulos not known F. brachypoda P. macrocainus
F. platypoda var. cordata not known F. atricha not known
F. leucotricha var. leucotricha not known F. platypoda P. cuneatus
F. leucotricha var. not determined P. cuneatus F. platypoda P. cuneatus
F. leucotricha var. megacarpa not known F. platypoda P. cuneatus
F. leucotricha var. sessilis not known F. platypoda P. cuneatus
F. macrophylla ssp. macrophylla P. froggatti F. macrophylla P. froggatti
f. macrophylla
F. macrophylla ssp. columnaris P. froggatti F. macrophylla P. froggatti
f. columnaris
F. pleurocarpa P. nitens F. pleurocarpa P. regalis
P. deuterus
F. crassipes P. addicotti F. crassipes P. addicotti
P. nitens
F. watkinsiana P. nigriventris F. watkinsiana P. nigriventris
F. destruens P. rigisamos F. destruens P. rigisamos
F. baileyana not known F. rubiginosa P. imperialis
F. subpuberula not known F. subpuberula P. austrobocheilus
F. triradiata var. triradiata not known F. triradiata P. schizodontes
F. triradiata var. sessilicarpa not known F. triradiata P. schizodontes
Not recognised F. cerasicarpa P. macrocainus
P. athysanus
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 131
Key to the species of Urostigma sect. Malvanthera in Australia
This key has been developed to reflect the characters that will best delimit the taxa
involved. It is recommended that fertile material be used when at all possible and that
the combination of characters in each couplet be matched conclusively.
1. Plants hemi-epiphytic (stranglers), lithophytic, or free-standing large trees to 50 m; leaves with basal
veins more or less conspicuous; distribution eastern Queensland (eastern edge of the Mitchell Grass
Plains) and New South Wales; habitat rainforest, vine thicket, rarely woodland............................ 2
Plants lithophytic, small trees to 13 m, or prostrate shrubs; leaves with basal veins more or less
inconspicuous; distribution western Queensland (western edge of the Mitchell Grass Plains),
Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia; habitat vine thickets .................. 9
2. Stipules, petiole (may only be scattered at base), and twigs with ascending hyaline hairs, adaxial
lamina surface glabrous .................................................................................................................... 3
Stipules, petiole, and twigs with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous
hairs, adaxial lamina surface with weak ferruginous hairs at least when young...................... 5
3. Abaxial lamina surface glabrous, syconia small (4–12 mm long, 4–11 mm in diameter), ellipsoid,
obloid, spheroid; widespread along eastern seaboard of Australia, from Cape York Peninsula
to south-eastern New South Wales .............................................................................. 1. F. obliqua
Abaxial lamina surface with ascending hyaline hairs, syconia large (39–68 mm long, 15–32 mm
in diameter), 3 to 10-angled .............................................................................................................. 4
4. Abaxial lamina surface with weak ferruginous hairs restricted to the intercostals (tomentose to
felted), ascending hyaline hairs along mid and basal pair of veins, syconia 5 to 10-angled, red
to orange, ostiole gibbose forming a crown with up to four unequal lobes; found from Cape
Tribulation south to the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland .......................... 2. F. pleurocarpa
Abaxial lamina surface glabrous or with ascending hyaline hairs scattered at base of lamina,
syconia 3-angled, brownish yellow, ostiole probosciform with three unequal lobes; restricted to
the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland .................................................................... 3. F. crassipes
5. Abaxial lamina surface with a dense covering of weak ferruginous hairs only, tomentose (may
appear white in very young growth) ..............................................................................................6
Abaxial lamina surface glabrous or with weak ferruginous hairs that are either interspersed with
ascending hyaline hairs, scattered over lamina surface (not tomentose), or very sparsely
scattered at base of lamina ................................................................................................................ 7
6. Abaxial lamina surface appearing glabrous but with felted to tomentose ferruginous hairs
restricted to intercostals, petiole glabrous, syconia 18–25 mm long, 15–24 mm in diameter, ostiole
with three lobes (triradiate), distribution south-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales,
and Lord Howe Island .......................................................................................... 4. F. macrophylla
Abaxial lamina surface with weak ferruginous hairs (may appear white in very young growth),
petiole with weak ferruginous hairs with or without ascending hyaline hairs, syconia 13–20 mm
long, 11–16 mm in diameter, ostiole umbonate with two lobes (bilabiate), distribution closed
forest from Cape Tribulation to Eungella Range, may also be found in ecotonal areas adjacent
to rainforest .................................................................................................................. 5. F. destruens
7. Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface, petiole, stipule, twigs, basal bracts, syconia, and
peduncle with ascending hyaline hairs, or with weak ferruginous hairs (may have
combination of both) (if abaxial and adaxial lamina surface, petiole, twigs, and basal bracts,
are glabrous then stipule and syconia with weak ferruginous hairs); syconia 7–18 mm long,
7–18 mm in diameter; widespread along eastern Australia from Cape York Peninsula to
south-eastern New South Wales ...................................................................... 6. F. rubiginosa
Abaxial and adaxial lamina surface and petiole glabrous, stipule with hyaline ascending hairs
or glabrous, syconia 21–37 mm long, 15–29 mm in diameter ...................................................... 8
8. Stipules glabrous, or with ascending hyaline hairs, or with weak ferruginous hairs, basal bracts
persistent, glabrous, syconia, yellow or pink-orange; restricted to the Mt. Windsor Tableland,
Mt. Lewis, and lowland rainforest of Cape Tribulation ........................................ 7. F. triradiata
132 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Stipules with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, never glabrous,
basal bracts caducous with weak ferruginous hairs, syconia deep purple to black; two disjunct
populations, Atherton Tablelands to Paluma Range and south-eastern Queensland/north-
eastern New South wales ...................................................................................... 8. F. watkinsiana
9. Intercostals of abaxial lamina surface strongly sunken, abaxial leaf lamina densely covered with
ascending hyaline hairs (pilose, villous), ......................................................................................10
Intercostals of abaxial lamina surface not strongly sunken, abaxial leaf lamina glabrous or
(minutely) puberulous, pilose, ........................................................................................................ 11
10.Basal bracts 2–8 mm long, peduncles slender (1–2 mm in diameter), western Queensland,
northern Northern Territory, occasionally Western Australia ............................ 9. F. cerasicarpa
Basal bracts 6–29 mm long, peduncles thick (2–5 mm in diameter), northern Northern Territory,
northern Western Australia. .................................................................................... 10. F. platypoda
11. Mature plants prostrate shrubs; restricted to the escarpments around Kununurra, Western
Australia, and the adjacent Keep River National Park, Northern Territory ...... 11. F. lilliputiana
Mature plants erect trees.................................................................................................................. 12
12.Lamina mealy, grey-green in colour, syconia yellow, distributed from Lawnhill National Park
in Queensland across the Top End of the Northern Territory, to the Kimberley region of
Western Australia ................................................................................................ 12. F. subpuberula
Lamina glabrous or with weak ferruginous hairs, ascending hyaline hairs may be present,
syconia red or reddish brown ........................................................................................................ 13
13.Plants glabrous in all parts; distributed across Kakadu plateau, Northern Territory, to the
Kimberleys of Western Australia.................................................................................. 13. F. atricha
Plants with parts variously pubescent; widely distributed from western Queensland, across the
Northern Territory and Western Australia, extending south into northern South Australia
........................................................................................................................................ F. brachypoda
Species descriptions
1. Ficus obliqua G.Forst. Fl. Ins. Austral. 77 (1786). A full description for this species is
presented in Dixon et al. (2001).
Pollinator wasp(s): Two pollinator wasps have been recorded by Lopez-Vaamonde
et al. (2002) for F. obliqua. They are Pleistodontes greenwoodi Grandi and Pleistodontes
xanthocephalus Vaamonde, Dixon, Cook & Rasplus.
2. Ficus pleurocarpa F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 246 (1874). Type: Johnson River, QLD, W. Hill
s.n. (holo n.v.).
According to Stafleu and Cowan (1976) the type of F. pleurocarpa, being a Mueller
name, should be at MEL; however, efforts to locate it at MEL have failed. Attempts to
locate the type at K or the British Museum (BM) were unsuccessful. There is a
specimen of F. pleurocarpa with a Mueller label at K, it has the correct locality details,
but it lacks the collector’s name of ‘W. Hill’ as cited by Mueller (1874) in the
protologue, which would authenticate this specimen as the type.
Ficus cylindrica Warb., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 1: 72 (1905). Type: Barron River,
QLD, 22 May 1902, L. Diels 8382 (holo B).
Hemi-epiphyte to 25 m. Twigs glabrous, or pilose to villous with ascending hyaline hairs,
glabrescent. Leaves alternate, narrowly oblong to ovate; apex acute; base cuneate to
rounded. Lamina 150–257 mm long, 49–100 mm wide; abaxial surface with ascending
hyaline hairs restricted to the mid vein and basal pair of veins, puberulous to pilose,
lamina surface tomentose with ferruginous hairs restricted to the intercostals; adaxial
lamina surface glabrous. Lateral veins 75–121 pairs, 64°–84°, basal veins distinct,
30°–56°. Petiole 44–102 mm long, 1–5 mm wide; pilose with ascending hyaline hairs,
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 133
glabrescent. Stipules 120–245 mm long; glabrous, or pilose to villous, with ascending
hyaline hairs, glabrescent. Syconia 39–61 mm long, 19–27 mm in diameter; oblong to
ovoid, 5–10-angled; orange or red; glabrous, or with weak ferruginous hairs,
glabrescent; punctate; ostiole lobes 4, of unequal size. Basal bracts 3, valvate, much
reduced; caducous; puberulous, with ascending hyaline hairs. Peduncle 10–30 mm
long, puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs. Female florets sessile, tepals
3 or 4; stigma bifid; male florets pedicellate, tepals 3–5, anthers 1 with crescentic
dehiscence, interspersed with the female and gall florets; gall florets pedicellate, tepals
3 or 4. Interfloral bracts present.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Cook: Hewet’s Property, Cooper Creek, D. Dixon
PHD93, 26 Apr 1996 (JCT); Eastern Slope of Mount Sorrow, Cape Tribulation, 16°05S 145°27E,
G.D. Weiblen 209, 25 Feb 1993 (BRI); Vacant Crown Land, near Noah Creek, 16°10S 145°10E,
B.P.M. Hyland 5978, 11 Apr 1972 (QRS); Mt. Pieter Botte, 16°41S 145°25E, R. Russell 20, 30 Mar 1992
(BRI); Copper Lode Falls dam area, Cairns, 17°00S 145°40E, W.R. Birch 18, 07 Dec 1972 (BRI); State
Forest Reserve 185, Buchan Logging Area, 17°08S 145°37E, B. Gray 2574, 13 May 1982 (QRS); State
Forest Reserve 310, Gadgarra, Tardent Logging Area, Compartment 4a, 17°18S 145°43E, G.L. Unwin
256, 24 Mar 1977 (QRS); Road to Bartle Frere walking track, off Lake Eacham Road, Atherton
Tablelands, 17°22S 145°42E, D. Dixon PHD338, 21 Nov 1996 (JCT); Timber Reserve 1230, Boonjie
Logging Area, 17°23S 145°45E, B.P.M. Hyland 13326, 12 Nov 1987 (QRS); Wallace Road near
commencement of State Forest Reserve 755, 17°25S 145°40E, A.K. Irvine 1303, 26 Mar 1975 (QRS);
Elinjaa Road, Millaa Millaa District, 17°28S 145°40E, A.K. Irvine 2218, 09 Jul 1982 (QRS); 1.8 km along
Theresa Creek Road from Millaa Millaa side, Atherton Tablelands, 17°29S 145°36E, D. Dixon
PHD343, 21 Nov 1996 (JCT); Timber Reserve 1231, Djallan Logging Area, 17°34S 145°43E, B. Gray
2928, 13 Jan 1983 (QRS); Palmerston Highway, H. Cooke s.n., 18 Dec 1976 (JCT); Palmerston National
Park, N Johnstone River 17°36S 145°46E, L.W. Jessup 743, 10 Dec 1984 (BRI); State Forest Reserve 756,
Maple Logging Area (between Tully River and S Johnston River), 17°40S 145°40E, A.W. Dockrill 29,
29 Apr 1971 (QRS).
Etymology: The epithet pleurocarpa is derived from the Greek prefix pleuro- meaning
ribbed, and the Greek adjectival suffix –carpus, and refers to the syconia that have 5–10
ribs running from the base to the tip of the syconium.
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus pleurocarpa is a hemi-epiphytic species restricted to
the lowland and upland wet tropic rainforests of north-east Queensland (Fig. 1) with
an altitudinal range from near sea level to 1000m (Hyland & Whiffin 1993). Ficus
pleurocarpa is endemic to Australia.
Notes: Commonly referred to as Banana Fig, it is easily identified by its large orange to
red cylindrical syconia that bear up to 10 ribs running from base to tip. The ostiole bears
four, sometimes indistinct, lobes often forming a crown at the apex of the syconium.
Conservation Status: Ficus pleurocarpa is well conserved in national parks and
state forests throughout its distributional range, therefore no conservation code
is recommended.
Illustrations: Williams, K.A.W., 1979, Native Plants Queensland, Volume 1, p. 124;
Chew, W., 1989, Moraceae, Flora of Australia 3: 48 fig. 31C; Christophel, D.C. & Hyland,
B.P.M., 1993, Leaf Atlas of Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees, p. 166, plate 103a;
Cooper, W., and Cooper, W.T., 1994, Fruits of the Rainforest, p. 134, Fig. 268.
Pollinator Wasp(s): Two pollinator wasps have been recorded by Lopez-Vaamonde et
al. (2002) for F. pleurocarpa. They are Pleistodontes regalis Grandi and Pleistodontes
deuterus Vaamonde, Dixon, Cook & Rasplus. This association constitutes one of the
few examples where two pollinator species have been reared from the same syconium
of a Ficus species.
134 Telopea 10(1): 2003
3. Ficus crassipes F.M.Bailey, Rep. Pl. Prelim. Gen. Rep. Bot. Meston’s Exped. Bellenden Ker
2 (1889); Bot. Bellenden Ker Exped. 60 (1889). Type: Harvey Creek, Russell River, QLD,
F.M. Bailey & E. Meston s.n. (holo BRI; iso MEL) (Fig. 2).
Hemi-epiphyte to 20 m. Twigs pilose with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with
weak ferruginous hairs, or puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs only.
Leaves alternate, ovate, oblong, elliptic, widely elliptic, obovate, widely obovate; apex
obtuse, rounded; base obtuse, rounded. Lamina 76–218 mm long, 53–154 mm wide;
abaxial and adaxial surface glabrous or with scattered ascending hyaline hairs at the
junction of the petiole and lamina. Lateral veins 36–68 pairs, 38°–70°, basal veins
distinct, 26°–57°. Petiole 38–138 mm long, 3–5 mm wide; glabrous, or puberulous to
pilose with ascending hyaline hairs, glabrescent. Stipules 81–125 mm long; pilose to
villous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or
pilose, to villous with ascending hyaline hairs only. Syconia 43–68 mm long, 15–32 mm
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 135
Fig. 1. The distribution of Ficus pleurocarpa based on available collection data.
136 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Fig. 2. The holotype of Ficus crassipes F.M.Bailey. The specimen consists of two sheets of which only
sheet one is shown. The original description, as it appeared in the original publication in 1889, is
near the bottom margin.
in diameter; lanceoloid, ovoid, oblong, narrowly oblong, often 3-angled; yellow-
brownish-orange, orange-brown, brown, dark purple, with dark brown spots;
puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or
puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs only; punctate, ostiole probisciform,
triradiate. Basal bracts 3, valvate, much reduced, persistent; pilose with ascending
hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or puberulous to pilose with
ascending hyaline hairs only. Peduncle 7–17 mm long; pilose with ascending hyaline
hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or puberulous to pilose with
ascending hyaline hairs only. Female florets imbedded in wall of receptacle, sessile,
subsessile, tepals 3 or 4, stigma bifid; male florets pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4, anthers 1
with crescentic dehiscence, interspersed with the female and gall florets; gall florets
imbedded, sessile, subsessile, pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4. Interfloral bracts present.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Cook: 14.9 km along Ravenshoe to Millaa Millaa,
Scenic Route, Atherton Tablelands, 17°34S 145°36E, D. Dixon PHD333, 19 Nov 1996 (JCT); Timber
Reserve 146, Fritz Logging Area, between gap and Three Jims Creek, 15°45S 145°20E, B.P.M. Hyland
6779, 25 Jul 1973 (QRS); Kennedy Highway, Evelyn Central, 17°29S 145°30E, R. Elick 62, 18 May
1988 (QRS); Wallace Road, 17°24S 145°40E, R. Jensen 726, 13 May 1996 (QRS); Millaa Millaa, 200m
along Theresa Creek Road, Atherton Tablelands, 17°30S 145°36E, D. Dixon PHD330, 18 Nov 1996
(JCT); Topaz, near Malanda, 17°25S 145°43E, S.T. Blake 15204, 25 Aug 1943 (BRI); Road to Butcher
Creek on the Topaz Road to Bartle Frere, Atherton Tablelands, 17°21S 145°41E, D. Dixon PHD340,
21 Nov 1996 (JCT); Glen Allyn, 17°27S 145°42E, A.W. Dockrill 131, 16 Jun 1971 (BRI; QRS); Timber
Reserve 1230, Boonjie Logging Area, 17°25S 145°45E, B.P.M. Hyland 6591, 04 Dec 1972 (QRS); Hugh
Nelson Range, 19 miles S of Atherton, 17°26S 145°29E, J.W. Wrigley & I.R. Telford NQ554, 02 Jun 1972
(CANB); Evelyn Tableland, 26 miles S of Atherton, 17°30S 145°30E, J.W. Wrigley & I.R. Telford
NQ572, 02 Jun 1972 (CANB); Jaggan, S of Malanda, L.S. Smith & J. Webb 3340, 17 Aug 1947 (BRI);
Mt. Lewis, approx 7 km from top, A. Cairns s.n., 23 Jun 1996 (JCT).
Etymology: The epithet crassipes is derived from the Latin adjective crassus meaning
thick, and refers to the thick peduncle on the syconia of this species (Meston 1889).
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus crassipes is a hemi-epiphytic species restricted to
upland areas of the wet tropic rainforests of north-east Queensland (Fig. 3). It has an
altitudinal range of 650–1000 m (Hyland & Whiffin 1993) and is endemic to Australia.
Notes: Commonly referred to as Round Leaf Banana Fig, F. crassipes is sometimes
confused with F. pleurocarpa, it is easily identified by its large brownish cylindrical
syconia, the very small persistent papery basal bracts, and the probosciform
triradiate ostiole.
Conservation Status: Although much of the rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands has
been cleared, F. crassipes is still commonly encountered and is well-conserved in state
forests throughout its distributional range. Therefore no conservation code is
recommended.
Illustrations: Williams, K.A.W., 1979, Native Plants Queensland, Vol. 1, p. 122; Chew,
W., 1989, Moraceae, Flora of Australia 3: 48, Fig. 31A–B; Christophel, D.C. & Hyland,
B.P.M., 1993, Leaf Atlas of Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees, p. 160, plate 98b;
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W.T., 1994, Fruits of the Rainforest, p. 130, Fig. 259.
Pollinator Wasp(s): Two pollinator wasps have been recorded by Lopez-Vaamonde et al.
(2002) for F. crassipes. They are Pleistodontes nitens Grandi and Pleistodontes addicotti
Wiebes. Together with the pollinators of F. pleurocarpa this is one of the few instances in
which two pollinator species have been reared from the same syconium of a Ficus
species. Wiebes (1994) cited F. pleurocarpa as the host of P. nitens; however Vaamonde et
al. (2002) stated that previous treatments had misinterpreted P. nitens.
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 137
4. Ficus macrophylla Desf. ex Pers. Syn. Pl. 2: 609 (1807). A full description is presented
in Dixon (2001b).
There are two forms which are distinguished as follows:
1. Free-standing tree, endemic to mainland Australia.............................. f. macrophylla
Hemi-epiphtye with no obvious main trunk, endemic to Lord Howe Island
........................................................................................................................ f. columnaris
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. macrophylla sens. lat. is Pleistodontes froggatti
Mayr (Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002).
5. Ficus destruens F.Muell. ex C.T.White, Contr. Arnold Arbor. 4: 16 (1933). Type:
Gadgarra, Atherton Tableland, QLD, 8 June 1929, S.F. Kajewski 1087 (holo BRI) (Fig. 4).
Hemi-epiphyte to 32 m. Twigs pilose to villous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed
with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent. Leaves alternate, narrowly oblong, narrowly
elliptic, oblanceolate, lanceolate; apex acute; base cuneate, obtuse. Lamina 51–194 mm
long, 16–63 mm wide; abaxial surface tomentose with ferruginous hairs restricted to
the intercostals, glabrescent; adaxial surface glabrous in older leaves, or tomentose
138 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Fig. 3. The distribution of Ficus crassipes based on available collection data.
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 139
Fig. 4. The holotype of Ficus destruens F.Muell. ex C.T.White.
with ferruginous hairs, glabrescent in the younger leaves. Lateral veins 20–53 pairs,
49°–74°, basal veins distinct, 28°–52°. Petiole 12–64 mm long, 2–5 mm wide; puberulous
with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent, or
tomentose with ferruginous hairs, glabrescent. Stipules 46–74 mm long; pilose to
villous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs. Syconia
13–19 mm long, 11–16 mm in diameter, often compressed laterally; broadly oblong to
broadly ellipsoid, ellipsoid, spheroid; orange, red; tomentose with ferruginous hairs,
glabrescent; punctate, ostiole bilabiate. Basal bracts 2, imbricate, puberulous with
ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent, or
tomentose with ferruginous hairs. Peduncle 3–6 mm long; pilose with ascending
hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent. Female florets
sessile, subsessile, tepals 4 or 5, stigma simple; male florets pedicellate, tepals 5–7,
anthers 1 with crescentic dehiscence, interspersed with the female and gall florets; gall
florets sessile, pedicellate, tepals 3–6. Interfloral bracts present.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Cook: 52.2 km along Palmerston Highway, heading
towards Palmerston, on S side of road, Atherton Tablelands, D. Dixon PHD94, 27 Apr 1996 (JCT);
Hope Vale Aboriginal Reserve, 15 km SW of Mclvor River mouth, Cooktown, 15°13S 145°07E,
D.G. Fell & J.P. Stanton DGF3838, 17 Nov 1993 (BRI); 4 km W of Isabella falls on Battle Camp Road,
15°16S 144°59E, L.W. Jessup, G.P. Guymer & H.A. Dillewaard GJD3025, 30 Nov 1989 (BRI); State Forest
Reserve 78, Dagmar, 16°13S 145°17E, B.P.M. Hyland 9224, 01 Dec 1976 (QRS); State Forest Reserve
144, Cockatoo Logging Area, 0.5 km past W Spencer Creek Forestry Camp, 33 km NNW of Mount
Carbine, 42 km NW of Mossman, Mount Windsor Tableland, 16°15S 145°02E, L.W. Jessup,
G.P. Guymer & W.J. McDonald GJM1199, 01 Nov 1988 (BRI); 3 miles from Kuranda towards
Mareeba, 16°15S 145°36E, J.W. Wrigley & I.R. Telford NQ1229, 16 Jun 1972 (CANB); Whyanbeel on
road to Devils Thumb, 16
o
23S 145
o
22E, R. Russell 7, 01 May 1993 (BRI); Mossman Gorge National
Park, 16°27S 145°18E, L.W. Jessup, G.P. Guymer & H.A. Dillewaard GJD3331, 04 Dec 1989 (BRI);
Kuranda, 16°49S 145°38E, B.P.M. Hyland 3063, 06 Feb 1964 (BRI); Davies Creek, 16°54S 145°33E,
J.G. Tracey 15330, 01 Dec 1963 (BRI); Copper-lode Falls Dam Site, Cairns, 16°56S 145°34E,
C.H. Gittens 2216, 13 Sep 1970 (NSW); State Forest Reserve 185, Robson Logging Area, Experimental
Plot 9, 17°10S 145°35E, K. Sanderson 135, 25 May 1972 (QRS); Lake Tinaroo, 41.6 km along Danbulla
Forest Drive from dam end, Atherton Tablelands, 17°13S 145°39E, D. Dixon PHD329, 13 Nov 1996
(JCT); Russell Road, 17°19S 145°43E, P.I. Forster & S.J. Figg 17127, 04 Jul 1995 (BRI); State Forest
Reserve 310, Windin Logging Area (Windin Creek, a tributary of W Mulgrave River), 17°20S
145°45E, A.W. Dockrill 80, 06 May 1971 (QRS); Boulders, Babinda, 17°21S 145°52E, B. Jago 44, 16 Nov
1988 (QRS); Topaz Road, 2.5 km NE of Bartle Frere Road junction, 17°22S 145°41E, P.H. Weston,
P. Hind, D. Healey & G. Sankowsky 883, 21 Aug 1986 (NSW); 1.7 km along Theresa Creek Road from
Millaa Millaa side, Atherton Tablelands, 17°29S 145°36E, D. Dixon PHD342, 21 Nov 1996 (JCT);
Gotack Road, 17°31S 145°29E, R. Elick 49, 21 Jan 1988 (QRS); State Forest Reserve756, Velvin
Logging Area, 17°40S 145°55E, B.P.M. Hyland 1646, 01 Aug 1968 (BRI). North Kennedy: Paluma
Range, Dotswood Holding, 19°15S 146°25E, B.P.M. Hyland 7266, 11 Jun 1974 (QRS). South Kennedy:
Rick and Brenda Parker's property, Bee Creek, off Bee Creek road, Eungella Range, D. Dixon PHD98
& I. Champion, 03 Jun 1996 (JCT); Eungella-Dalrymple road, 0.5 km N of Black's road turnoff,
D. Dixon PHD97 & I. Champion, 03 Jun 1996 (JCT); near Boundary State Forest Reserve 62, Gamma,
on Eungella Road, 21°05S 148°35E, B.P.M. Hyland 8211, 09 May 1975 (QRS).
Etymology: The species epithet is Latin for destroy, and refers to the ability of this
species to destroy its host. Ficus destruens is a strangler fig eventually killing its host
thus securing its place in the canopy of the rainforest.
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus destruens is found mainly in upland areas of the wet
tropic rainforests of north-east Queensland at altitudes between 350 and 1000 m
(Hyland & Whiffin 1993). However, I have observed it growing in the tropical lowland
rainforests at Broadwater State Forest, north of Ingham. It extends from the Atherton
Tablelands, south to Eungella Range west of Mackay (Fig. 5). It is a hemi-epiphytic
species that is occasionally found as a strangler on Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden
in the wet sclerophyll forests of Eungella Range (Chew 1989), and on other eucalypt
species around Cairns (White 1933). Ficus destruens is endemic to Australia.
140 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Notes: Ficus destruens is easily identified in the rainforest by its bilabiate syconia and
the somewhat dense covering of weak, often tomentose, ferruginous hairs on the
abaxial surface of the leaf. The older leaves may appear glabrous at first glance but on
closer inspection some ferruginous hairs can be found at the base of the lamina.
Commonly referred to as Rusty Fig.
Illustrations: Williams, K.A.W., 1984, Native Plants Queensland, Vol. 2, p. 136; Pearson,
S., & Pearson, A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia, p. 108; Christophel, D.C. &
Hyland, B.P.M., 1993, Leaf Atlas of Australian Tropical Rain Forest Trees, p. 160, plate 98b;
Cooper, W., and Cooper, W.T., 1994, Fruits of the Rainforest, p. 130, Fig. 259.
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. destruens is Pleistodontes rigisamos Wiebes
(Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002).
6. Ficus rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent., Jard. Malm. 114 t. 114 (1805). A full description is
presented in Dixon et al. (2001).
There are two forms which are distinguished as follows:
1. Leaves variously hairy.................................................................................. f. rubiginosa
Leaves glabrous............................................................................................ f. glabrescens
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 141
Fig. 5. The distribution of Ficus destruens based on available collection data.
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. rubiginosa sens. lat., is Pleistodontes
imperialis Saunders (Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002)
7. Ficus triradiata Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17: 401 (1959). Type: Mount Spurgeon,
QLD, C.T. White 10536 (holo BRI; iso MEL) (Fig. 6).
Ficus triradiata var. sessilicarpa Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17: 401 (1959). Type: Mount
Finnegan, QLD, L.J. Brass 20052 (holo BRI; iso L, SING).
Hemi-epiphyte to 25 m. Twigs glabrous, or puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs
interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent,
or minutely puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate,
narrowly elliptic, obovate, elliptic or oblique; apex obtuse or acute; base cuneate.
Lamina 33–163 mm long, 10–66 mm wide; abaxial and adaxial surface glabrous. Lateral
veins 20–51 pairs, 51°–70°, basal veins distinct, 20°–37°. Petiole 5–50 mm long, 1–5 mm
wide; glabrous, or puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs, glabrescent. Stipules
35–92 mm long; puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak
ferruginous hairs, glabrescent, or with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent, or with
ascending hyaline hairs at base. Syconia 21–26 mm long, 15–26 mm in diameter, very
broadly ovoid to ovoid, occasionally spheroid; cream, yellow, orange or pink, with
orange spots; glabrous, or with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent; punctate; ostiole
triradiate. Basal bracts 3, valvate, persistent; glabrous. Peduncle 1–8 mm long; glabrous,
or with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent, or puberulous with ascending hyaline
hairs. Female florets imbedded, sessile, pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4, stigma bifid; male
florets pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4, anthers 1 with crescentic dehiscence, interspersed with
the female and gall florets; gall florets sessile or pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4. Interfloral
bracts present.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Cook: Timber Reserve 146, Tableland Logging Area,
15°45S 145°15E, B.P.M. Hyland 8336, 9 Jul 1975 (QRS); Mount Finnigan, W slopes, 15°49S 145°17E,
L.J. Brass 20052, 6 Sep 1948 (BRI); Little Cooper Creek, end of Turpentine Road, Daintree, D. Dixon
PHD87, 26 Apr 1996 (JCT); Eastern ridge of Mount Sorrow, Cape Tribulation, 16°05S 145°27E,
G.D. Weiblen 212, 25 Feb 1993 (BRI); Creek beside forestry hut, Mt. Windsor, 20°21S 146°10E,
D. Dixon PHD354, 9 Dec 1996 (JCT); Adeline Creek road, Mt. Windsor, 16°14S 145°04E, D. Dixon
PHD367, 10 Dec 1996 (JCT); State Forest Reserve 144, Whypalla, Bower Bird Logging Area, 16°15S
145°01E, B.P.M. Hyland 13466, 22 Dec 1987 (QRS); Timber Reserve 142, Zarda Logging Area (Roots
Creek), 16°25S 145°15E, B.P.M. Hyland 6881, 25 Sep 1973 (QRS); Mount Spurgeon, 16°26S 145°12E
C.T. White 10536 1 Sep 1936 (BRI; MEL); Mt. Lewis State Forest, 16°32S 145°16E, D. Dixon PHD369,
11 Dec 1996 (JCT); Mount Lewis Road, South Mary Logging Area, 16 km NNW of Mount Molloy,
16°32S 145°17E, L.W. Jessup, G.P. Guymer & W.J. McDonald GJM1589, 1 Nov 1988 (BRI).
Etymology: Corner (1959a) did not give a derivation for the species epithet. However,
it is most likely in reference to the three large persistent basal bracts found on the
syconia of this species.
Nomenclatural Notes: In his comments concerning the infraspecific taxa of this
species, Chew (1989) suggested that the two varieties, F. triradiata var. triradiata and
F. triradiata var. sessilicarpa, may represent different developmental stages of the same
taxon. It has become evident during the studies on the Urostigma sect. Malvanthera
that the peduncle of many species is often quite variable in length and is not a good
taxonomic character. The figs present on the type specimen of F. triradiata var.
sessilicarpa do appear sessile; however, they are much smaller than the mature figs of
this species. The size of the syconia on the type specimen of F. triradiata var.
sessilicarpa (12–15 mm long, 11–13 mm in diameter), are outside the range of
dimensions for the mature syconia of this species (21–26 mm long, 15–26 mm in
diameter). Thus I have concluded that F. triradiata var. sessilicarpa was described from
a specimen with immature syconia and have accordingly reduced it to synonymy
under the type species.
142 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 143
Fig. 6. The holotype of Ficus triradiata Corner.
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus triradiata is found in lowland and upland wet tropical
rainforest of north-east Queensland (Fig. 7), at an altitudinal range from near sea level
to 1300 m (Hyland and Whiffin, 1993). This species is hemi-epiphytic and is endemic
to Australia.
Notes: It is an attractive species with peach to apricot coloured figs and is commonly
referred to as Red Stipule Fig. The common name is a misnomer as the stipules are
translucent white when mature. The stipules are only red in colour when the growing
point is inactive. It is easily identified by the syconia always having three large
persistent basal bracts.
Conservation Status: Ficus triradiata has been relatively poorly collected and was
considered poorly known (Staff, Queensland Herbarium, 1994) and given a
conservation coding of 2K by Briggs and Leigh (1996). However, it is commonly
encountered throughout its limited distributional range between Mount Molloy and
Cooktown. During a field trip to the Windsor Tablelands in December 1996, 103
individuals were encountered along a 24.6 km section of logging road. Twenty-one
individuals were encountered along a three kilometre section of road on Mount Lewis.
Ficus triradiata also occurs in the rainforests of Cape Tribulation and is adequately
conserved in forestry reserves across its entire range. No conservation code is
necessary at this present time.
144 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Fig. 7. The distribution of Ficus triradiata based on available collection data.
Illustrations: Christophel, D.C. and Hyland, B.P.M., 1993, Leaf Atlas of Australian
Tropical Rainforest Trees, p. 166, plate 104e; Cooper, W., and Cooper, W.T., 1994, Fruits of
the Rainforest, p. 135, Fig. 272.
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. triradiata is Pleistodontes schizodontes
Vaamonde, Dixon, Cook & Rasplus (Lopez-Vaamonde et al. 2002).
8. Ficus watkinsiana F.M.Bailey, Queensland Bot. Bull. 2: 18 (1891). Type: Mooloolah, QLD,
Dec 1890, Field Naturalists AQ66925 (lecto BRI, here designated) (Fig. 8); top of Bunya
Mountains, QLD, H. Tryon (syn: n.v.); top of Blackall Range, QLD, A. Anderson (syn: n.v.).
Ficus bellingeri C. Moore in C. Moore & E. Betche, Handb. Fl. New South Wales 81 (1893).
Type: Bellinger R., N.S.W., collector unknown (holo BM).
Ficus simmondsii F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agric. J. 25: 234 (1910). Type: Coolangatta,
J.H. Simmonds s.n. (holo BRI).
Hemi-epiphyte to 35 m. Twigs minutely puberulous to puberulous, with ascending
hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent. Leaves alternate,
narrowly oblong to elliptic; apex acute; base cuneate, rounded. Lamina 51–217 mm long,
26–97 mm wide; abaxial surface glabrous, or with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed
with weak ferruginous hairs at junction of lamina and petiole, or with ascending
hyaline hairs at junction of lamina and petiole; adaxial surface glabrous. Lateral veins
30–78 pairs, 52°–77°; basal veins distinct, 32°–49°. Petiole 20–87 mm long, 1–4 mm wide;
glabrous, or with ascending hyaline hairs, glabrescent. Stipules 62–95 mm; minutely
puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or
with weak ferruginous hairs only, glabrescent. Syconia 24–37 mm long, 18–29 mm in
diameter; very broadly ovoid to ovoid, oblong, narrowly oblong, ellipsoid, narrowly
ellipsoid; with ascending hyaline hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or
with weak ferruginous hairs, glabrescent; deep purple to black; punctate; ostiole
triradiate. Basal bracts 2 or 3, imbricate, caducous, puberulous with ascending hyaline
hairs interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs, or with weak ferruginous hairs,
glabrescent. Peduncle 9–25 mm long; puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs
interspersed with weak ferruginous hairs. Female florets imbedded in the wall of the
receptacle, sessile, tepals 3 or 4, stigma simple; male florets pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4,
anthers 1 with crescentic dehiscence, interspersed with the female and gall florets; gall
florets pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4. Interfloral bracts present.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Cook: State Forest Reserve 144, Windsor Tableland,
16°15S 145°05E, B.P.M. Hyland 5534, 04 Oct 1971 (QRS); Hunter Creek, Julatten, 16°38S 145°19E,
B. Gray 4514, 17 Jun 1987 (QRS); Lake Barrine, Atherton Tableland, 17°15S 145°38E, S.F. Kajewski
1122 (BRI); State Forest Reserve 191, Barron, 17°19S 145°30E, B.P.M. Hyland 13476, 21 Jan 1988 (QRS);
Keough's Scrub, Evelyn Portion 52v, Parish of Herberton, 17°40S 145°30E, B.P.M. Hyland 5522, 22
Sep 1971 (QRS); State Forest Reserve 418, 19°10S 146°05E, B.P.M. Hyland 3991, 23 Feb 1968 (BRI).
North Kennedy: Birthday Creek crossing, Paluma Dam road, on E side of road, on boundary of
loggers hut, D. Dixon PHD61 & A. Cairns, 14 Feb 1996 (JCT); Mt. Spec, 19°00S 146°05E,
B.P.M. Hyland 1572, 23 Jul 1968 (BRI); Mount Dryander, 20°15S 148°33E, Kilner & Fitzalan s.n. (MEL).
Wide Bay: Cooloola State Forest R451, E of Gympie, approx 3 miles W of Rainbow Beach, E.J. Carrol
& I.R. Telford EJC1083, 24 May 1967 (CANB); Elanda Point, Lake Cootharaba, 26°15S 153°01E,
K.A.W. Williams 78034, 11 May 1978 (BRI); Base of Mount Kandanga, Imbil, 26°27S 152°35E, E. Rider
82, 09 Jan 1990 (BRI); Eumundi, N Coastline, 26°29S 152°57E, C.T. White s.n., 01 Jan 1911 (BRI);
Blackall Range, 6 miles from Mapleton, towards Cooloolabin, 26°35S 152°50E, E.J. Carroll &
I.R. Telford EJC1107, 25 May 1967 (CANB); Didillibah Road, Bli Bli, near Paynters Creek, 26°38S
153°01E, A.R. Bean 8655, 26 May 1995 (BRI). Moreton: Mistake Mountains, L.S. Smith & L.J. Webb
3649, 25 May 1948 (BRI); D’Aguilar Range, approx. 1 km NW of Mount Glorious, 27°20S 152°46E,
I.R. Telford 9685, 17 Apr 1984 (CANB); Lamington National Park, 28°10S 152°59E, R.F. Thorne 25517,
17 Mar 1960 (BRI); Roberts Plateau, track to W Canungra Creek, 28°13S 153°07E, I.R. Telford 9787,
26 Apr 1984 (CANB). New South Wales; North Coast: Clarence River, 29°30S 153°06E, A. Camara
s.n. (MEL). Central Coast: Sydney, 33°53S 151°13E, C. Moore s.n. (MEL).
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 145
146 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Fig. 8. The lectotype of Ficus watkinsiana F.M.Bailey AQ66925 (BRI). The specimen consists of two
sheets of which only sheet one is shown.
Etymology: Named in honour of George Watkins who was a collector of Queensland
plants (Bailey, 1891).
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus watkinsiana is a hemi-epiphytic species found in
upland rainforest. This species occurs in two disjunct populations, one in north-
eastern Queensland between Cairns and Townsville, and the other in south-eastern
Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales (Fig. 9). Ficus watkinsiana is endemic
to Australia.
Notes: Commonly referred to as Watkin’s Fig or Green-leaved Moreton Bay Fig,
F. watkinsiana is easily recognised in the rainforest. At first glance the leaves resemble
those of F. pleurocarpa, however, they lack the tomentose to felted covering of
ferruginous hairs and the leaves are on average smaller in size being 51–217 mm long,
26–97 mm wide in F. watkinsiana compared to 150–256 mm long, 49–100 mm wide in
F. pleurocarpa. The syconia of F. watkinsiana are dark purple to black when mature and
lack ribs compared to those of F. pleurocarpa which have up to 10 longitudinal ribs and
are orange-red when mature.
Conservation Status: Ficus watkinsiana is adequately conserved throughout its
distributional range and therefore no conservation code is recommended.
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 147
Fig. 9. The distribution of Ficus watkinsiana based on available collection data.
Illustrations: Chew, W.L.,1989, Flora of Australia, Vol. 3, p. 34; Williams, K.A.W., 1984,
Native Plants Queensland, Vol. 2, p. 138; Christophel, D.C. and Hyland, B.P.M., 1993,
Leaf Atlas of Australian Tropical Rainforest Trees, p. 168, plate 106b; Cooper, W., and
Cooper, W.T., 1994, Fruits of the Rainforest, p. 139, Fig. 275.
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. watkinsiana is Pleistodontes nigriventris
(Girault) (Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002).
9. Ficus cerasicarpa D.J.Dixon. Aust Syst. Bot. 14: 535–563 (2001). A full description is
presented in Dixon (2001c).
Pollinator Wasp: Lopez-Vaamonde et al. (2002) reported that Ficus cerasicarpa is
associated with two species of pollinator wasp, Pleistodontes macrocainus Vaamonde,
Dixon, Cook & Rasplus and Pleistodontes athysanus Vaamonde, Dixon, Cook &
Rasplus. Pleistodontes athysanus is mainly recorded from F. brachypoda; however, two
specimens were also identified from a collection of Pleistodontes macrocainus reared
from F. cerasicarpa collected at Mount Isa (Dixon & Champion, PhD 405), see Dixon
(2001c) for exact location details.
10. Ficus platypoda (Miq.) A.Cunn. ex Miq. Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 3: 287
(1867). A full description is presented in Dixon (2001c).
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. platypoda is Pleistodontes cuneatus Wiebes
(Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002)
11. Ficus lilliputiana D.J.Dixon. Nuytsia 13: 457–464 (2001). A full treatment of this
species is presented in Dixon (2001a).
There are two forms which are distinguished as follows:
1. Leaves and other parts glabrous................................................................ f. lilliputiana
Leaves hairy, other parts variously hairy.......................................................... f. pilosa
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. lilliputiana is Pleistodontes proximus Wiebes
(Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002).
12. Ficus subpuberula Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17: 403 (1959). Urostigma puberulum
Miq. London Journal of Botany 6: 562 (1847); Ficus puberula (Miq.) Miq. Annales Musei
Botanici Lugduno-Batavi 3: 287 (1867). Type: York Sound [WA], A. Cunningham s.n. (holo
K; iso U) (Fig. 10).
Lithophytic tree to 13 m. Twigs glabrous or minutely puberulous to pilose with
ascending hyaline hairs, glabrescent. Leaves
alternate, widely ovate, ovate, narrowly
elliptic to widely elliptic, lanceolate; apex acuminate, acute or obtuse; base cuneate,
obtuse, rounded or cordate. Lamina 27–143 mm long, 11–68 mm wide; abaxial surface
glabrous or mealy to minutely puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs; adaxial
surface glabrous or mealy to minutely puberulous with ascending hyaline hairs.
Lateral veins 16–49 pairs, 49°–80°; basal veins indistinct. Petiole 7–81 mm long, 1–3 mm
wide, glabrous, minutely puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs. Stipules
20–65 mm long, caducous, glabrous, minutely puberulous to puberulous with
ascending hyaline hairs. Syconia 10–24 mm long, 9–23 mm in diameter, widely oblong,
broadly oblong, oblong to narrowly oblong, spheroid or broadly ellipsoid; yellow,
orange or red; glabrous or minutely puberulous to puberulous with ascending hyaline
hairs; ostiole triradiate. Basal bracts 3, imbricate, caducous, glabrous, minutely
puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs. Peduncle 3–27 mm long, glabrous,
minutely puberulous to pilose with ascending hyaline hairs. Female florets sessile or
pedicellate, tepals 3 or 4, stigma simple; male florets pedicellate, tepals 2 or 3, anthers
1 with crescentic dehiscence, interspersed with female and gall florets; gall florets
pedicellate, tepals 4 or 5. Interfloral bracts present.
148 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 149
Fig. 10. The holotype of Ficus subpuberula Corner.
Selected specimens examined: Queensland: Burke: Westmoreland Station, 17°20S 138°15E,
C.H. Gittons 837, 1 Jun 1963 (BRI). Lawn Hill, 18°42S 138°29E, C. O’Keefe 11, 10 Nov 1987 (BRI).
Northern Territory: Barkley Tableland: Barkley Tableland, Nicholson River Area, near Dry Creek
Gorge in China Wall, 17°44S 137°47E, A. Kanis 1811, 11 Jun 1974 (CANB); Cox River Station,
Tanumbirini Creek, 16°01S 134°47E, P.K. Latz 7296, 10 Jul 1977 (DNA); Echo Gorge, Wollogorang
Station, 17°11S 137°43E, B.G. Thompson 796, 27 Nov 1984 (DNA). DARWIN AND GULF DISTRICT:
12°19S 133°14, E M. Lazarides 7547, 06 Jul 1972 (CANB); 1.5 miles SW of Cannon Hill, 12°23S
132°57E, P. Martensz AE673, 02 Feb 1973 (DNA); 10 km NW of Bauhinia Downs Station, 16°07S
135°24E, J. Russell-Smith & Lucas 6276, 30 Oct 1988 (DNA); 1 km on Koongarra side of Jump Up,
12°51S 132°51E, M.O. Rankin 1411, 13 Sep 1978 (DNA); 2.5 km SW of Mount Gilruth, 13°03S
133°02E, M. Lazarides 7944, 28 Feb 1973 (CANB); 24 miles SE of Oenpelli, 12°32S 133°19E,
L.G. Adams 2753, 07 Jul 1972 (CANB); 2 km N of Nabarlek Airstrip, 12°17S 133°19E, M.O. Rankin
2187, 26 Apr 1979 (DNA, MEL); 40 km NE of Beswick, 14°19S 133°24E, B.G Thompson 2810, 16 Jan
1989 (DNA); 5 km N of Paradise Pool, Balbirini, 16°47S 135°22E, J. Russell-Smith 7058, 30 Jan 1989
(DNA); Approx. 40 km SSW of Nathan River Homestead, 15°56S 135°20E, P.K. Latz 10107, 27 Aug
1985 (DNA); Bessie Spring, Macarthur River Station, 16°45S 135°50S, G. Wightman 1646, 09 Jul 1984
(DNA); Cannon Hill, 12°22S 132°57E, M. Parker 650, 17 Jul 1975 (DNA); Canopy Rock, Mountain
Valley Station, R. Swinbourne 687, 25 Feb 1963 (DNA, MEL); E Alligator River, 1 km N of Cahills
Crossing, 12°25S 132°58E, J.C. Cardale s.n., 07 Jun 1973 (CANB); Redbank Creek, L. Brass 391, 01
Nov 1923 (BRI); Edith Falls, D.J. Dixon PHD419 & I. Champion, 16 Oct 1997 (JCT); Kakadu National
Park, 1 km S of Obiri Rock, 12°24S 132°57E, I.R. Telford & J.W. Wrigley IRT8385, 15 Aug 1980 (CANB);
Liverpool Meteorite Crater, 12°25S 134°03E, M.J. Clarke 1147, 28 Jul 1987 (DNA); Magela Creek,
12°40S 133°03E, C.R. Dunlop 3370, 25 Feb 1973 (DNA, MEL); Mount Borridale, Arnhem Land,
12°05S 132°50E, K. Metcalfe s.n., 19 Jul 1995 (DNA); Moyle River, 65 km E of Port Keats, 14°19S
130°06E, P. Latz & C.R. Dunlop 13764, 10 Jun 1994 (DNA); Nathan Spring, Nathan River, 15°35S
135°26E, J. Russell-Smith 6712, 19 Jan 1989 (DNA); Tabletop Range near Mount Tolmer, 13°13S
130°44E, C.R. Dunlop 6780, 19 May 1985 (DNA); Tanum Creek, Cox River Station, 16°01S 134°47E,
P.K. Latz 7296, 10 Jul 1977 (DNA); Upper Mann River, 12°39S 134°08E, J. Russell-Smith & Lucas 4016,
07 Nov 1987 (DNA); Upper Wilton River, 13°17S 134°12E, J. Russell-Smith & Lucas 4058, 11 Nov 1987
(DNA). Victoria River District: Headwaters of Lalngang Creek, 15°05S 130°10E, I. Cowie &
N.G. Walsh 5082, 16 May 1994 (MEL). Western Australia: Gardner: 0.5 miles E past Grey's Cave,
Glenelg District, C.A. Gardner 9638, 14 Jul 1950 (PERTH); 13 km W of Kununurra off highway on
track to Blackrock waterhole, 15°39S 128°39E, D.J. Dixon PHD442 & I. Champion, 20 Oct 1997 (JCT);
25.3 km W of old Mount Elizabeth Homestead on Panter Downs track, 16°11S 125°59E, K. Hill 966,
27 Jul 1984 (NSW); 4.2 km NW of Gibb River-Kalumburu Road intersection, travelling along old
Mitchell River Station Road, 15°09S 126°10E, B.L. Koch 560, 08 Jun 1987 (PERTH); El Questro Station,
15°50S 128°20E, C. Done 742, 10 Jul 1986 (PERTH); Langi, 4 km S of Prior Point and 33 km SSW of
Kuri Bay, Kimberley Coast, 15°45S 124°24E, K.F. Kenneally 11058, 14 Jul 1990 (PERTH); Lennard
River Gorge, King Leopold Range, +/-130 km ENE of Derby, G.W. Carr & A.C. Beauglehole 4021,
22 Jul 1974 (PERTH); Prince Regent River Reserve, 15°34S 125°36E, K.F. Kenneally 2025, 14 Aug 1974
(PERTH); Solea Falls, Drysdale River National Park, 14°40S 127°00E, A.S. George 13428, 05 Aug 1975
(PERTH); Summit of Mount Derberh, King Leopold Range, W. Fitzgerald s.n., 01 May 1905
(PERTH); Surveyor's Pool area, Mitchell Plateau, 14°41S 125°43E, J.S. Beard 8395, 24 Feb 1979
(PERTH); SW Osbourne Island, Bonaparte Archipelago, 14°26S 125°56E, P.G. Wilson 11161, 29 Jul
1973 (PERTH). Hall: Kimberlite Pipe area at source of Smoke Creek, SW of Lake Argyle, 16°45S
128°30E, A.S. Weston 12294, 05 May 1980 (PERTH); N Gorge, Bungle Bungle National Park, 17°25S
128°35E, I. Solomon 866, 20 Oct 1993 (PERTH).
Etymology: Corner (1959a) did not provide a derivation for the epithet. However, it
most likely applies to the leaves of F. subpuberula being ‘almost pubescent’.
Distribution and Ecology: Ficus subpuberula is a lithophytic species restricted to
sandstone gorges and rock crevices. It occurs from Lawn Hill National Park, on the
extreme western edge of Queensland west across the Top End of the Northern
Territory to the Kimberley area of Western Australia (Fig. 11). It is endemic to Australia
and has previously not been recorded from Queensland.
Notes: Ficus subpuberula is easily recognised. The foliage is often sparse, pendulous,
and a dull grey green colour. The figs are a lemon-yellow colour when mature.
150 Telopea 10(1): 2003
Conservation Status: Ficus subpuberula is adequately conserved in national parks of
Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, therefore no conservation
coding is recommended.
Illustrations: Wheeler, J.R. (ed.) 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region, p 81, Fig. 18f.
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. subpuberula is Pleistodontes austrobocheilus
Vaamonde, Dixon, Cook & Rasplus (Lopez-Vaamonde et al., 2002).
13. Ficus atricha D.J.Dixon. Aust. Syst. Bot. 14: 535–563 (2001). A full description is
presented in Dixon (2001c).
Type: Another isotype of R.L. Specht 449 was recently found at NSW. The holotype is
at BRI, other isotypes are held at L, PERTH, MEL).
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator wasp of F. atricha has yet to be collected.
14. Ficus brachypoda (Miq.) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 3: 268 (1867). A full
description is presented in Dixon (2001c).
Distribution and Ecology: In Dixon (2001c) I stated that this species was endemic to
Australia. I have since found that this is not the case. Ficus brachypoda also occurs in
the Lesser Sunda Islands and Timor.
Dixon, Revision of Australian Ficus sect. Malvanthera 151
Fig. 11. The distribution of Ficus subpuberula based on available collection data.
Additional specimens examined: Lesser Sunda Islands: Flores Island, J.A.J. Verheijen
2313 (L); Sumba Island, Waingapu, Kemiru R., Kostermans & Wirawan 256, 6 Apr 1965
(L); Roti Island, J.A.J. Verheijen 2443, 1969 (L).
Timor: Soenda Eil., E. Schmutz 2393, 20/08/1969 (L).
Pollinator Wasp: The pollinator of F. brachypoda is Pleistodontes macrocainus (Lopez-
Vaamonde et al., 2002).
Acknowledgments
I am indebted to many people. For as much as this research is my own work, without
the help and support of friends and colleagues this work would not have been
possible. Thanks to Craig Burgess for the preparation of the distribution maps; Rita
Bisley at Document Supply, James Cook University for locating the Ficus protologs,
some of which required expert detective work to find. For companionship in the field
I am especially thankful to Irene Champion and Brad Mayger. I wish to express my
gratitude for the financial support provided by the Rainforest CRC. The following
herbaria AD, BM, BRI, CANB, DNA, FI, G, JCT, K, LAE, MANCH, MEL, NSW,
PERTH, QRS, SING, and U kindly provided specimens on loan or bench space during
my visits. I thank the Directors and Staff of these institutions, for without access to
these valuable collections this research would not have been possible. I would also like
to thank the Australian Botanical Liaison Officer (ABLO), Ken Hill, who examined and
photographed many type specimens at K and during his visits to other overseas
herbaria. Without data from these important specimens many of the names could not
have been applied correctly. Finally I wish to express my thanks to Assoc. Prof. Betsy
Jackes and Dr Leone Bielig, their guidance, encouragement, support, and patience has
been constant.
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