Saturday, August 9, 2008

Lubi-lubi (Ficus pseudopalma)



This plant looks like a palm but is actually part of the ficus or fig family, only with no branches and with saw-like long leaves. Inside, the "fruit" is actually lined with little flowers, which hold in them the seeds. It snaps easily and is good for mulching. You can use it to wrap food, as well.

Grown in metropolitan areas as an ornamental, the young leaves of the Philippine fig (as it is known in other countries) can actually be cooked in coconut milk, sometimes with meat or fish, especially in Bicol. The Department of Science and Technology found this to be one of the most promising wild endemic edibles in the country.



The Bicolano name is lubi-lubi, while Tagalog is niyog-niyogan. Lubi means coconut in Bicol, while niyog means the same in Tagalog. This is probably because the plant looks like a small and comical coconut tree, with its trunk likewise taking shape with indentations left by fallen leaves and fruit. In any case, both names are shared with other, completely unrelated species of plants, so be careful when researching!



Aside from being eaten, the small tree is also used in folk medicine. A decoction of the leaves is useful for diabetes and kidney-related ailments.

I spotted it while walking around and took some young leaves to cook and some fruit to plant. While it is widespread, the lubi-lubi is categorized by conservation experts as a vulnerable species.

12 comments:

Carlos Dreamfrutas said...

Hi,

Congratulations for your very interesting post. I am fruit researcher and collector and I am interested to obtain some seeds of this species for our arboretum. Can you help me? TIA Carlos

gwilwileth said...

can you please give me details of it's chemical constituents?

Specially the fruits.

I'm a student mentoring another student in conducting his science investigatory project.

We need the info badly.

Please help.

Thank you.

Bea said...

Hey commenters, sorry I didn't reply sooner. Carlos, I can get seeds. And students, I'm not sure about the info you ask of.

Carlos Dreamfrutas said...

Hi Bea, many thanks for your reply, please email me directly at dreamfrutas @ gmail dot com.

jocara said...

hi bea...

please send me also chemical details of lubi-lubi leaves and fruits.jpda2003@yahoo.com

we also nid in our IP.

thanks and more power!

jocara said...

jpda2004@yahoo.com pls

Unknown said...

Good day!
I also need the chemical details of lubi-lubi leaves and fruits for our IP.
sophiacaes29@gmail.com
Thanks and God Bless!

Vinn said...

Is that useable in making a tea?

Vinn said...

And please also email me about the chemical properties of lubi lubi. I need it for educational purposes

Vinn said...

macariolavinn@gmail.com

Unknown said...

eto masarap gawing ulam ang talbos ng dahon nyam

Racezcegar.1 said...

I have seeds of niogniogan in my bank's seed. Plan to make it into oil.