DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2021.v09i04.002

Pages: 111-115

The research was set to study the macro- and micro-morphological and phytochemical constituents of Ficus exasperata Vahl. of the family Moraceae, though it does not produce a milky sap like most members of the family, rather it produces a sticky viscid sap. It is a pan-tropical tree by habit and deciduous perennial dicot that grows up to 12 to 15m in height. It has simple petiolate leaves which are ovate to obovate elliptic with alternate phyllotaxy and cuneate to rounded at base. The margins of the leaves are slightly wavy with very rough lamina when rubbed, commonly called sand-paper plant. The leaves measure up to 27±5cm in length and 22±4cm in width. The flowers are borne in hollow receptacle and the fruits appeared when the tree is leafless, occurring singly or in pairs all along the younger branches. The foliar epidermal studies revealed paracytic stomata and multicellular uniseriate trichomes which are amphistomatic. It has a foliar adaxial index of 3.5% and 13.6% for the abaxial. The qualitative phytochemical investigations conducted showed presence of following metabolites: flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids while alkaloids, fixed oil components and anthraquinones were absent. The quantitative chemical estimation studied showcased 82.95mg/kg of Sodium (Na), 7816.25mg/kg of Potassium (K) and 391.75mg/kg of Iron (Fe).The investigations conducted here could be used for further delimitation of the species.