| Giant-leaved fig | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific 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 (82 ft) 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. Leaves of Ficus lutea clusters at the end of branches, reaches up to 43 cm (17 in) in length and 20 cm (7.9 in) 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 . Figs borne in leaf axils or on bare twigs below the leaves, they reach up to 30 mm (1.2 in) in diameter and are densely hairy especially when young.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in riparian forests, woodlands and evergreen forests in West, East and Southern Africa.
Chemistry
Chemical compounds isolated from the extracts of the plant include α-Tocopherol, epiafzelechin, phytol, beta-sitosterol, lupeol, b-amyrin, and b-amyrin acetate.
References
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. (2020). "Ficus lutea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T146435575A146445616. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T146435575A146445616.en. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ 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
- 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.
- 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.
External links
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