Mistletoe Fig / Rusty Leafed Bush Fig (Ficus Deltoidea)
This fig is a small evergreen shrub, often growing as an epiphyte in the wild. The Latin word deltoideus means triangular and it is probably alluding to the triangular leaf shape.
It is very rare to find this fig tree growing in the wilds in Singapore but one such bush may be found growing atop a rocky outcrop at Pulau Ubin. It can however be found growing wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia where it is popular among traditional medical practitioners. This fig tree can be found in the jungles of Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. It has also been found growing in oil palm plantations in Perak, Selangor and Johor. It can be found in the lowlands to mountains up to 3200 meter altitude. It also grows in thickets andn scrub on sandy soil, or on rocks in coastal areas.
The leaves are small, 2-5 cm long, thick and leathery, and are characteristically spatulate with apices blunt and flat. They have dark green upper surfaces flecked with tiny white spots, and rusty olive undersides which have a peculiar venation - a pattern similar to that of a river delta, with a forked midrib and other veins that seem to form a pattern of river tributaries. A characteristic dark spot occurs at the fork of the vein. Figs are small, 0.5 cm and round. They are stalked, growing singly or in pairs in leaf axils. They then ripen to orange or red, their ostioles turn red and open up. This attractive fig is now very popular as a horticultural shrub. The leaves are considered as a symbol of good luck and hence are sold in nurseries as an auspicious plant of the Chinese.
Do you know... the 3 black dots on the underside of the leaf is thought to represent the female reproductive organ. Based on the Doctrine of Signature concept, a medicinal plant depicting a particular anatomy of the human body is said to be good for it. Hence, this herb is popularly used for many women ailments. In Malaysia, this fig tree is called "Mas Cotek". The leaves, fruits, stems and roots of Mas Cotek display healing, palliative and preventative properties.The leaves of the male and female plants are mixed in specific proportions to be taken as an aphrodisiac. In Malay traditional medicine, Mas Cotek has also been used for regulating blood pressure, womb contraction after delivery, reducing cholesterol, reducing blood sugar level, treatment of migraines, toxin removal, delay menopause, nausea, joints pains, piles pain and improving blood circulation.Its derived products are sold in the form of capsules, coffee, extracts, herbal drinks and massage oil for their respective health benefits.
NOTE: The mistletoe figs come in both male & female species.The leaves of female species are big and round in shape & there are 3 black dots at the back of it. The male species are small, round and long in shape and only has one black dot at the back of the leaf. It is very difficult to find the male species.
It is very rare to find this fig tree growing in the wilds in Singapore but one such bush may be found growing atop a rocky outcrop at Pulau Ubin. It can however be found growing wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia where it is popular among traditional medical practitioners. This fig tree can be found in the jungles of Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. It has also been found growing in oil palm plantations in Perak, Selangor and Johor. It can be found in the lowlands to mountains up to 3200 meter altitude. It also grows in thickets andn scrub on sandy soil, or on rocks in coastal areas.
The leaves are small, 2-5 cm long, thick and leathery, and are characteristically spatulate with apices blunt and flat. They have dark green upper surfaces flecked with tiny white spots, and rusty olive undersides which have a peculiar venation - a pattern similar to that of a river delta, with a forked midrib and other veins that seem to form a pattern of river tributaries. A characteristic dark spot occurs at the fork of the vein. Figs are small, 0.5 cm and round. They are stalked, growing singly or in pairs in leaf axils. They then ripen to orange or red, their ostioles turn red and open up. This attractive fig is now very popular as a horticultural shrub. The leaves are considered as a symbol of good luck and hence are sold in nurseries as an auspicious plant of the Chinese.
Do you know... the 3 black dots on the underside of the leaf is thought to represent the female reproductive organ. Based on the Doctrine of Signature concept, a medicinal plant depicting a particular anatomy of the human body is said to be good for it. Hence, this herb is popularly used for many women ailments. In Malaysia, this fig tree is called "Mas Cotek". The leaves, fruits, stems and roots of Mas Cotek display healing, palliative and preventative properties.The leaves of the male and female plants are mixed in specific proportions to be taken as an aphrodisiac. In Malay traditional medicine, Mas Cotek has also been used for regulating blood pressure, womb contraction after delivery, reducing cholesterol, reducing blood sugar level, treatment of migraines, toxin removal, delay menopause, nausea, joints pains, piles pain and improving blood circulation.Its derived products are sold in the form of capsules, coffee, extracts, herbal drinks and massage oil for their respective health benefits.
NOTE: The mistletoe figs come in both male & female species.The leaves of female species are big and round in shape & there are 3 black dots at the back of it. The male species are small, round and long in shape and only has one black dot at the back of the leaf. It is very difficult to find the male species.