Ficus natalensis

{{Short description|Species of fig}}

{{Speciesbox

|name = Natal fig

|image = Ficus_natalensis.jpg

|image_caption = figs and foliage

|image2 = Ficus natalensis, lugwortels, Manie van der Schijff BT, a.jpg

|image2_caption = aerial roots

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author= Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group |date=2019 |title= Ficus natalensis |volume=2019 |page= e.T146188383A146199628 |doi= 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146188383A146199628.en |access-date=December 24, 2024}}

|taxon = Ficus natalensis

|authority = Hochst.

}}

Ficus natalensis is a tree in the family Moraceae.{{cite web |url= https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:853264-1 |title= Ficus natalensis Hochst. |author= |date=n.d. |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=December 24, 2024}}{{cite web |url= https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/6HYJG |title= Ficus natalensis Hochst. |author= |date=n.d. |website=Catalogue of Life |publisher=Species 2000 |access-date=December 24, 2024}} It is commonly known as the natal fig in South Africa. In central and western Uganda, where it has an important cultural value, it is known as omutuba to the Baganda people and omutoma to the Banyakitara peoples. In English is sometimes referred as barkcloth fig. It is commonly mistaken for its cousin the Ficus thonningii also known as mugumo to the Agikuyu. These trees are distributed from north-eastern South Africa to Uganda and Kenya.

It is a popular species to cultivate as bonsai due to its fast growth and hardy nature.

The bark of the tree is harvested, without harming the tree, to make barkcloth, an environmentally-friendly, renewable material. Skilled artisans incorporate this unique fabric into many modern uses, including fashion, accessories, housewares, interior design, and art. The vision is to create sustainable jobs in East Africa by creating a global demand for barkcloth.

Mutuba trees can be harvested annually for up to 40 years, yielding up to 200 m² of cloth individually.