Ficus abutilifolia leaves

The sparse leaves of Ficus abutilifolia grow alternately on petioles that may become 14 cm long. The petiole is stout and straight, cream-coloured or pinkish.

The large, heart-shaped to round leaves are dark green, sometimes a little shiny and usually hairless, although they may be velvety on the lower surface or along the veins. The heart-shaped leaf in the photo is wider than it is long. The leaf tip is rounded, broadly tapering or acute, the base lobed.

From five to eight veins emerge from the leaf base, varying in size and colour, mostly cream to faintly red. Veins branch, especially the one to the leaf tip (the midrib) and those aimed into the lateral lobes. The veins join near the margin without reaching it. The net-veining is flat, not ridged on top.

The leaf margin is entire and variably wavy, the leaf texture thick and smooth. Leaf dimensions are 6 cm to 19 cm long by 5 cm to 20 cm wide.

The specific name, abutilifolia originates from the resemblance of the leaves to those of plants belonging to the genus called Abutilon (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Pooley, 1993).