Ficus lutea

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.

Giant-leaved fig
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[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

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.^[2] 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 .^[3] 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.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in riparian forests, woodlands and evergreen forests in West, East and Southern Africa.^[2]

Chemistry

Chemical compounds isolated from the extracts of the plant include α-Tocopherol, epiafzelechin, phytol, beta-sitosterol, lupeol, b-amyrin, and b-amyrin acetate.^[2]