In a 2008 study on DNA sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacers, Danish botanist Nina Rønsted and colleagues rejected previous subdivisions of the "Malvanthera". Instead, they divided section "Malvanthera" into three subsections—"Malvantherae", "Platypodeae," and "Hesperidiiformes". In this system, the Moreton Bay fig is in the subsection "Malvantherae", along with "F. pleurocarpa". The "Malvantherae" appear to be basal (an early offshoot) to the group. "F. macrophylla" form "macrophylla" is native to mainland Australia, while form "columnaris" of "macrophylla" colonised Lord Howe Island. The section "Malvanthera" itself is thought to have evolved 41 million years ago and radiated around 35 million years ago.