Ficus deltoidea Jack

Tabat barito (Ficus deltoidea) is an upright epiphytic shrub up to 1.5 meters tall of the Moraceae family, distributed from India to Sumatra and Sulawesi. The Batak tribe uses it as a stamina-boosting tinuktuk concoction, while Kalimantan communities use it as a female aphrodisiac. Tabat barito is traditionally believed to address cancer, tumors, and hypertension.

This plant grows up to elevations of 1,800 m above sea level, with a temperature range of 18-23°C, relative air humidity of 80-84% and land slope of 4-24%. Growing media on its host ranges from roots attaching directly to the bark to media in the form of decomposed material.

• Stem upright, woody, round, many-branched, rough surface, exudes sap, brown.
• Leaves single, round, ovate or oblong, has white sap. Young leaves covered by stipules. Spirally arranged, blade varies resembling a spoon/inverted triangle. Main leaf vein branched with several clear brown spots below the vein axis.
• Flowers pot-shaped with an opening at the tip, appearing solitary or ovate, yellow to dark purple in color, male and female flowers separate.
• Fruit a berry, round, 3-5 mm in diameter, yellow turning red to dark purple in color.

Propagated from seed and stem cuttings, can also be done with tissue culture and layering techniques.

Saponin, glycoside, sterol compounds, afzelechin, epiafzelechin, entcatechin, flavonoid, tannin, triterpenoid, phenols, phenylisopropanoid, catechin, naringin, vitexin, anthocyanin.

Treats cancer and tumors, gonorrhea and diabetes, pleural effusion, hypertension, weak heart, diarrhea, improves blood circulation, heals skin disease, removes swelling, aphrodisiac, promotes women's reproductive health (vaginal discharge, promotes menstruation), and antiseptic.

• Prepare fresh tabat barito leaves as needed, wash thoroughly with running water.
• Dry using an oven (temperature 40°C for 5 days).
• Once dry, store in a closed container.

Siraja landong (Batak Simalungun), Tawar palitan (Batak Karo), Salayar.