Ficus deltoidea

Mas Cotek
Ficus deltoidea at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Ficus
Species:	F. deltoidea
Binomial name
Ficus deltoidea Jack

Ficus deltoidea, commonly known as mistletoe fig (Mas Cotek in Malaysian or สาลิกาลิ้นทอง in Thai) is a large shrub or small tree species native to Southeast Asia, and widely naturalized in other parts of the world.

Description

F. deltoidea is a small perennial herb, growing up to about 2 m tall, with thick leaves that are deltoid in shape, rounded at the apex and tapering at the base.^[1] The upper surface of the plants' leaves are dark, shining green, while the lower surface is golden yellow with black spots. Male and female plants are physically distinctive, with the leaves of female plants being big and round, while the leaves of male plants are small, round and long.^[1] The plant grows wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan, Terengganu) and in Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan), and is used by the traditional medical practitioners in these regions.

Uses

The plant is used in the traditional medicine in eastern Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, where its leaves, fruits, stems and roots are believed to have healing properties. Among the traditional uses attributed to this plant include menstrual cycle regulation; the treatment of post-partum depression, lung diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and skin problems;^[1] as well as an aphrodisiac for both men and women.^[2]

F. deltoidea has been commercialized in the region of its origin, where it is used as an ingredient in herbal drinks, coffee drinks, supplements, and massage oils.

Chemical composition

F. deltoidea has been reported to contain triterpenoids and natural phenols (flavonoids and proanthocyanins, a type of condensed tannins).^[3]

References