Gen info
- Macaranga is a large genus of Old World tropical trees in the family Euphorbiaceae, first described as a genus in 1806. The genus comprises about 300 species. It is the only genus in the subtribe Macaranginae (tribe Acalypheae).

Botany
• Binuñgang-malapad is a tree growing 5 to 10 meters high. Large leaves are characteristic, about 60 to 100 centimeters wide. Petiole is very long and joins the leaf within the leaf margin. Leaf blade is broad, rounded-ovate or ovate, 30 to 80 centimeters greater in length than in width, wider towards the base than near the tip, with stems attaching towards the center of the leaf blade. Stipules are 6 to 10 centimeters long. Flowers are small, borne in large numbers on compound inflorescences. Capsules are borne in dense spherical masses, smooth, 8 to 10 millimeters long, comprising 2 dehiscent, leathery cocci, each valve armed with 2 spinelike processes at the apex.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In secondary growth forests at low altitudes in Cagayan, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan, Bataan, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon Provinces in Luzon; and in Mindoro.
- Also native to Sulawesi.
- Widely cultivated in Hawaii as a tropical ornamental for its grandiose leaves.
- Cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world.
- IUCN Red-listed as "vulnerable".

Constituents
- Study of dichloromethane extracts of M. grandifolia isolated vedelianin, squalene, ß-carotene, and polyprenol from the leaves; a mixture of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and monoacylglycerols and saturated fatty acids from the fruit. (5)

Parts used
Resin, leaves.

Uses
Edibility
- Leaves, bark, and fruit are added to sugar cane juice that is fermented into basi, a traditional alcoholic beverage in the Philippines. (2)
Folkloric
- Resin used as astringent gargle for ulcers in the mouth.
- Leaf ash eaten for enlarged bellies.
- In traditional folk medicine, fresh or dried leaves of Macaranga species are used to treat swellings, cuts, sores, boils, and bruises.
Others
- Twine: Twine made from the bark.
- Wood: Used for fishing spears.
- Birds eat the ripe fruits.
- Wrapping: Leaves used for wrapping.
- Fodder: High protein content of leaves considered a potential for ruminant fodder.

Studies
• Antibacterial / Leaves: Study evaluated ethanol extract of air-dried, finely ground leaves for antibacterial activity against gram-positive Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes using paper disc diffusion method. (results pending) (1)

Availability
- Wild-crafted.
- Seeds sometimes available in the cybermarket.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Macaranga grandifolia / Synonyms / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Macaranga grandifolia, Macaranga longifolia, Macaranga mappa / Top Tropicals
(3)
Macaranga grandiflora / Useful Tropical Plants
(4)
Antibacterial Activity of Macaranga grandifolia (Takip Asim) Leaf Extracts from Kaliwa Watershed in Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Tanay, Rizal / Omar Lamina / University of the Philippines Open University, August 2022
(5)
Chemical constituents of macaranga grandifolia / Charisse T Tugahan / Master Thesis, 2020: Master of Science in Chemistry - De La Salle University, Manila
(6)
Macaranga / Wikipedia

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)