Giant-leaved fig
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species:
F. lutea
Binomial name
Ficus lutea
Vahl
Synonyms

F. vogelii, F. quibeba, F. nekbudu

Ficus lutea is a medium to large sized deciduous tree in the family Moraceae. It is commonly known as the giant-leaved fig or Lagos rubbertree. These trees occur from the Eastern Cape of South Africa to Tropical Africa.

Description

Ficus lutea is a tree that grows up to 25 m in height, its crown is large and spreading, while the bark is brownish to dark grey; when in open areas, the trunk is commonly short with buttressed roots but in forest environments, the trunks tend to be longer.[1] Leaves of Ficus lutea clusters at the end of branches, reaches up to 43 cm in length and 20 cm in width, the outline of leaves are ovate to elliptical with an acuminate apex and the base is cordate or rounded, the surface is glossy .[2] Figs borne in leaf axils or on bare twigs below the leaves, they reach up to 30 mm in diameter and are densely hairy expecially when young.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in riparian forests, woodlands and evergreen forests in West, East and Southern Africa.[1]

Chemistry

Chemical compounds isolated from the extracts of the plant include α-Tocopherol, epiafzelechin, phytol, beta-sitosterol, lupeol, b-amyrin, and b-amyrin acetate.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Blom van Staden, Analike; Lall, Namrita (2020-01-01), Lall, Namrita (ed.), "Chapter 20 - Ficus lutea", Underexplored Medicinal Plants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Academic Press, pp. 133–138, ISBN 978-0-12-816814-1, retrieved 2024-01-11
  2. ↑ Olaokun, Oyinlola Oluwunmi (2012). The value of extracts of Ficus lutea (Moraceae) in the management of Type II diabetes in a mouse obesity model (PhD thesis). University of Pretoria.
  3. ↑ Schmidt, Ernst; Lotter, Mervyn; McCleland, Warren; Burrows, John; Burrows, Sandie (2002). Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Johannesburg: Jacana. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-919777-30-6.
  • Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.


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