Ficus pseudopalma

Ficus pseudopalma is a species of fig, (subgenus Sycamorus) in the mulberry family (Moraceae). It is known by the common names Philippine fig, dracaena fig, and palm-leaf fig. In nature it is endemic to the Philippines, especially the island of Luzon. It is known elsewhere as an ornamental plant. This is a shrub or rarely branching small tree growing erect with a naked unbranched mesocaul stem topped with a cluster of wavey-edged leaves to give it the appearance of a palm. Indeed, the species name pseudopalma means "false palm". The leaves are 75–100 cm (30–40 in) long and up to 15 cm (6 in) wide, with a yellow midrib and edged with dull teeth. The edges of the leaf are elevated above the midrib, forming a sort of trough. The fruit is a dark green fig that grows in pairs, each fruit 2.5 cm (1 in) diameter; it is edible but not very tasty. In Luzon, this plant occurs in grassland and forest habitat, where it is considered common. The new shoots of the plant are eaten as a type of vegetable, and there are a number of traditional medicinal uses, such as a remedy for kidney stones made from the leaves. In Bicol Region the plant is known as Lubi-lubi and the leaves are cooked in coconut milk. In 2003 the leaves were sold in markets for US$0.74 per kilogram, and the plant can be grown in plantations without pesticides for an adequate profit. This shrub has been used as a landscaping plant in Hawaii, but it never escaped cultivation or became established in the wild because the species of wasp that pollinates it was never brought to the islands.

Description

A fig. It is a small palm like tree. It grows 6 m tall. It spreads 3 m wide. It has a few branches of a few stems from the base. The leaves are alternate and crowded towards the ends of branches. The leaves are smooth and shiny on the upper surface while paler beneath. They can be 1 m long. The flowers parts are fused toward the base and occur one or two together. They are a dull red or purplish when mature. The plant is an unusual and ornamental fig. The fruit are oblong and ridged. They are greenish-purple with white spots. It is pollinated by the fig wasp, Ceratosolen bakeri.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw in salads. The fruit are eaten raw.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also eaten raw in salads. The fruit are eaten raw.

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Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes and kidney stones. The plant contains flavonoids, unsaturated sterol and triterpene, steroid glycoside, saponin, tannin and phenol.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native to the Philippines. They are common in dry wooded areas of the Philippines and range from the seacoast to 1600 m altitude. It can grow in infertile soils. It can tolerate shade. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, USA, Venezuela,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seeds.

Production

It is fast growing.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Dinad'alit, Dracaena fig, Niog-niogan, Palm fig, Reprepolyo

References (14)

• Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 186
• Bodner, C. C. and Gereau, R. E., 1988, A Contribution to Bontoc Ethnobotany. Economic Botany, 43(2): 307-369
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 603
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 328
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 155

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