Each leaf of Ficus, such as the rusty-leaf fig (F. rubiginosa, Family Moraceae), has a cap-like stipule that hides it and presumably protects the shoot tip. When the leaf begins to form a petiole, and thereby break away from the terminal bud, the stipule easily abscises, leaving a stipular scar around the stem. The spherical multiple fruits (sorosis) of the fig are also seen in this illustration. The young leaves are light in color but develop as dark green, evergreen leaves.