A Pharmacognostical Study of Ficus Elastica Rox B.Var. Decora ( Family Moraceae)Cultivated in Egypt

Ficus is a large genus (about 800 species) of the family Moracese. It includes trees and shrubs of varied habits.Ficus elastica Roxb. var. decora is a large tree cultivated in Egypt as an ornamental plant.The present study comprises three parts:I- A botanical study of the plant in both entire and powdered forms.II- A phytochemical investigation of the plant and isolation of its main constituents III- Biological studies of the plant including:1- Some pharmacological activities.2- Antimicrobial activities. I- BOTANICAL STUDYThe botanical study includes the macro- and micromorphological characteristics of the plant in order to help its identification either in entire or powdered forms. The botanical study includes:Chapter (1): macromorphological study of the plant.Chapter (2): micromorphological study of the plant. Chapter (1): Macromorphology:Ficus elastica Roxb. var. decora is a large tree with large, dark brown woody trunk with thick dark-green leaves having entire margin, acuminate apex, symmetric base and a distinct petiole. The growing tips of the leaves are covered by a reddish green sheath.Chapter (2): Micromorphology:The micromorphological study of different organs of the plant revealed the following features:1- The root:A transverse section through the root shows almost circular outline. It has an outer brownish cork followed by a wide phelloderm comprising two outer layers of thick-alled lignified sclerids and a wide cellulosic parenchymatous layer. Laticiferous tubes and diffused small groups of lignified fibers are observed in the cortical region. The pericycle is formed of an interrupted ring of fibers surrounding a wide vascular tissue. The vascular tissue comprises a narrow phloem and a wide xylem, with annular and pitted lignified xylem vessels surrounded by pitted lignified wood parenchyma; it is also characterized by the presence of alternative bands of thin-walled parenchyma and lignified wood parenchyma; the wood fibers are surrounded by crystal sheath.2- The stem:The stem showed a circular transverse section. The epidermal cells are polygonal with straight anticlinal walls covered with thick smooth cuticle and followed by 2-3 layers of thin-walled parenchymatous hypodermis with discontinuous sclerids in the inner most layer. The cortex is wide and characterized by the presence of a collenchymatous layer followed by thick-walled parenchyma. The pericycle consisted of an interrupted ring of non-lignified fibers