Conlarium sichuanense sp. nov., on Ficus virens from Sichuan Province, China

A new hyphomycetous species, Conlarium sichuanense was found on dead branches of Ficus virens (Moraceae) from a terrestrial habitat in Sichuan Province, China. The new species has sporodochial colonies on natural substate, with micronematous conidiophores and muriform, brown and subglobose to irregular-shaped conidia. The phylogenetic analysis based on combined LSU, ITS and SSU sequence data showed that Conlarium sichuanense clustered together with C. aquaticum and C. thailandense and presented as a distinct lineage. A detailed, illustrated description and comparison with related Conlarium species are provided.

Ficus virens Aiton var. dispersa (Moraceae): a new record for India

An interesting specimen of Ficus L. was collected from the Idukki district of Kerala. Based on detailed examination with protologues, literatures and type specimens, the plant was identified as Ficus virens Aiton var. dispersa Chantaras. This is the first report on the occurrence of this taxon in India. A detailed description, photographs, illustrations, comparison with allied taxa and identification key are provided.

A review of the phytochemical compounds and pharmacological activities from selected Ficus plants

The Ficus genus belongs to the Moraceae family were used for medicinal purposes. Distributed in America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, there were sixteen species accepted in Indonesia. They were Ficus callosa, Ficus melinocarpa, Ficus elastica, Ficus drupaceae, Ficus geocarpa, Ficus Superba, Ficus heteropoda, Ficus fistulosa, Ficus hirta, Ficus ampelas, Ficus adenosperma, Ficus ardisioides, Ficus consociate, Ficus ribes, Ficus lyrata, Ficus virens Aiton. This article reviewed the scientific work of the Ficus genus. Their traditional usage, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological activity were summarized. This study aims at providing a collection of publications on selected species of Ficus genus. A critical review of the literature data revealed secondary metabolite like triterpenoid, steroid, saponin, flavonoid, phenolic compound and alkaloid were found in some species of Ficus. Some pure compounds such as quercetin, quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside, epilupeol acetate, oleanolic acid, friedelin, elastiquinone, pinocembrin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ficusoside B were isolated. A wide range of pharmacological activities was observed. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antiparasitic, cytotoxic, and antimalarial were found in previous researches. Ficus genus was potential to be developed as a medicinal plant.

Molecular phylogeny of the Ficus virens complex (Moraceae)

The closely related species present in the subgenera of Urostigma are challenging to classify due to the existence of overlapping morphological characteristics, which makes identification habitually problematic. It is still unresolved whether the species of the Ficus virens complex, which includes F. virens, F. middletonii, F. caulocarpa, F. concinna, and F. superba, are the same or distinct species due to the complexities in classification. To clarify the circumscription between the species and re-evaluate the taxonomical status, morphological characteristics were extensively examined; further, a phylogenetic reconstruction based on two DNA markers (ITS2 and trnH-psbA) in combination with morphological traits was carried out. The phylogenetic tree constructed using the combined morphology and DNA markers revealed that the five species should be demarcated as independent species. This study supports the importance of using both molecular and morphological data for efficient discrimination of species having high similarities. Further investigation into the species present in the subgenera Urostigma may provide additional information regarding the ancestral traits and its evolutionary history.

Identifikasi Heritage Tree pada Jalur De Groote Postweg di Kota Bogor

Kota Bogor merupakan salah satu kota yang tergabung dalam Jaringan Kota Pusaka Indonesia (JKPI) dalam Program Penataan dan Pelestarian Kota Pusaka (P3KP) yang bertujuan mempertahankan aset pusaka dan karakter kota pusaka. Aset pusaka Kota Bogor tidak terlepas dari sejarah De Groote Postweg pada masa kolonial. Tidak hanya elemen fisik bentukan manusia dan tata guna lahanpada Jalur De Groote Postweg, tetapi juga elemen alami berupa pohon. Studi ini bertujuan untuk memetakan dan mengklasifikasikan pohon yang diduga sebagai heritage tree; mengidentifikasi pohon berdasarkan aspek fisik, aspek sejarah, dan aspek lanskap; dan menyusun rekomendasi dalam pelestarian heritage tree dan penguatan karakter lanskap pada Jalur De Groote Postwegdi Kota Bogor. Studi ini menunjukkan bahwa pohon yang diduga sebagai heritage tree sebanyak 281 pohon dari 17 spesies pohon serta termasuk 8 famili. Spesies pohon dengan jumlah terbanyak yang diduga sebagai heritage tree adalah pohon kenari (Canarium commune L.) sebanyak 220 pohon. Pendugaan umur pohon kenari (Canarium commune L.) dengan rentang 50-75 tahun sebanyak 80 pohon, rentang 75-100 tahun sebanyak 62 pohon, rentang 100-200 tahun sebanyak 71 pohon, dan rentang > 200 tahun sebanyak 7 pohon. Spesies pohon lainya dengan rentang umur > 200 tahun didominasi oleh famili Moraceae yang terdiri atas banyan (Ficus virens Aiton), beringin (Ficus benjamina L.), beringin karet (Ficus elastica Roxb.), dan Ficus crassipes (Ficus crassipes F.M. Bailey). Rekomendasi yang diusulkan dalam pelestarian heritage treedan penguatan karakter lanskap pada Jalur De Groote Postweg di Kota Bogor dibagi menjadi tiga bagian, yaitu pemeliharaan heritage tree, perbaikan lingkungan tumbuh, dan penguatan karakteristik lanskap. Dalam pemeliharaan heritage tree, seluruh pohon terutama pohon kenari (Canarium commune L.) harus dipelihara berdasarkan jenis dan tingkat kerusakannya. Perbaikan lingkungan tumbuh dapat dilakukan pada kondisi yang tidak menguntungkan terutama untuk struktur akar, ruang tumbuh akar, struktur jalan, dan dilanjutkan dengan penanaman pohon sejenis seperti pohon kenari (Canarium commune L.) pada ruang yang kosong. Penguatan karakterisik lanskap pada Jalur De Groote Postwegdi Kota Bogor dapat mengunakan papan interpretasi atau elemen lain yang dapat membantu mengenali pohon-pohon pusaka dan nuansa lanskap pusaka.