Funtumia elastica

Funtumia elastica (also known as the bush rubber tree^[1] or silkrubber^[2]) is a medium-sized African rubber tree with glossy leaves, milky sap, and long woody seedpods. The bark is used in the traditional medicine of tropical Africa.^{[citation needed]} It is economically important in West African countries such as Ghana, where it is commonly known as the ofruntum.^[1]

Silkrubber
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Funtumia
Species:	F. elastica
Binomial name
Funtumia elastica (Preuss [fr]) Stapf

Chemical constituents

A variety of chemical compounds have been identified in F. elastica. Unprocessed F. elastica powder is distinctly blue due to its anthocyanin content.^{[citation needed]} The steroidal alkaloid conessine, which is found in F. elastica, has anti-bacterial properties in vitro.^[3]

Bioactivities

Crude extracts of F. elastica inhibit growth of many molds, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida, as well as the fungi that cause ringworm.^[4]