Lahad Datu houses largest collection of ficus species in Malaysia
12 May 2021 / 10:36 H.
Pix for representational purpose only
SANDAKAN: The Sabah Ficus Germplasm Centre in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu has successfully bred over 90 species of Ficus or fig trees since 2011 to conserve the plant and maintain the forest ecosystem.
Field manager Dr Zainal Zahari Zainuddin said among the Ficus species that could be found at the centre were the Magnoliifolia or black figs, which is rarely found as wild plants in Sabah, and Variegata, which is claimed to be extinct in Brunei.
“The Ficus collection at the centre is more than half of the total species in Sabah which is estimated to be at least 150 species,” he told Bernama.