Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Roxb), Indian Rubber Tree 

Did you know that Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Roxb) or the Indian Rubber Tree or Assam rubber, though not commercially viable now, is still trained as a living suspension bridge to ford streams in Meghalaya, India?

The Rubber Plant with botanical name Ficus elastica Roxb , known as Indian Rubber Tree or Assam Rubber, is native of South east Asia India in particular, where it grows as a large tree (30 to 50 m high) in the virgin forest (a forest in its natural state). It is now widely spread in the Eastern Himalayas, foothills from Nepal eastwards through Sikkim, Bhutan, ArunachaL Padesh, Assam and Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), upto 1200 m, formerly tapped in the wild for its rubber. It was planted commerically in the 19th century as source of rubber, but was supplanted soon after the domestication of Para Rubber tree, :Havea brasilensis". Now, the Rubber Plant is one of most familiar of tropical house-plants, being prized for its ornamental foliage. But it certainly does yield india rubber of a very excellent quality but of limited quantity to be commercially viable in view of many variants which have been extensively brought into cultivation in many parts of the world, including India. Particuarly in the state of Megahalaya (Khasi Hills) its roots which grow wildly are tamed to form suspension bridges to cross rivers and streams.

Indian Rubber Tree, also known as Caoutchouc tree, is an evergreen perennial, native to India, growing to 30 to 50 m tall and broad, with cupped leathery leaves and narrow spikes of white flowers. This tropical plant generally has thick stems and fleshy, variegated thick oblong leaves (upto 30cm). Flowers are yellow or brown cone-shaped spikes. Bears fig like fruits in pairs along branches. The trunk and stem exude a milky sap or latex. The species reproduces by seeds. However, reproduction requires a specific wasp pollinator (very rarely found), which may have helped to prevent the spread and invasion of this species.

When this plant is cut accidentally or in order to take a cutting , a white latex flows copiously from the cut wound. The plant grows initially as a woody climbing plant that hangs from trees, especially in tropical rainforests known as "the free-hanging stem of a liana", attracted by the light of sun. Only when hanging tree has reached the top on its host tree, it starts spreading into a crown canopy over its host tree. When the host dies, the rubber plant starts growing up on its own, reaching gigantic heights of 30 m to 50 m; often begins as an epiphyte (a plant that grows on another plant), eventually strangling its host before becoming a large banyan type fig tree. This species can grow in fairly very dark spot but in that case it will not usually branch. A more bushy plant can, however, be grown by taking out the top out of the plant at the appropriate time, particularly during early spring. The top itself can be propagated after the latex has beeen washed off. The tree can with stand temperatures ranging from 0-10 C in winter and 10-30 C in summer, and annual rainfall up to 200 cm.

Indian Rubber Tree leaves are normally dusted with a cloth dipped in buttermilk or a proprietary leaf gloss, which will give the leaves a beautiful sheen. In the past, the India rubber plant was the best selling ficus and over the years, it has given rise to many cultivars which are more commercially viable to grow.

Indian Rubber Plant is tapped at the age of 25 years. From that time till the trees are of age 50 , the yield is estimated to be about 40 pounds per tree every three or four years. Only about 40 trees of this species are stated to be advantageously planted on an acre of land, and on this basis the yiled of the rubber plant per acre might be estimated at about 500 pounds per year. It is no longer grown as a rubber producer even in its native habitat where other rubber producing trees have proved more profitable. 

The Ficus Elastica Ruby, similar to that of the Rubber Tree, also known as a variegated Rubber tree, is native to tropical regions of India and Malaysia and is stated to be commercially viable.

 

Rubber sap or latex is a pretty profound substance that has many benefits to plants. The latex-laden sap oozes from the wound and dries over the damaged part of the tree, forming a protective bandage of sorts to help the tree heal faster. Another benefit of latex is that it is known to be poisonous, or at least irritating, to many pests. Latex was harvested from ancient times to make homemade shoes, waterproof clothes, and balls for sports. Since then, there are more and more uses for natural rubber, putting it in mattresses, medical supplies, balloons, swim caps, rubber bands, and so much more.

The Global Compendium of Weeds has listed Indian Rubber Plant as an “environmental weed, garden thug, naturalised, weed”. 

Gardeners value this small, compact plant for its thick, waxy foliage, ornamental flowers and ease of care. It is still widely planted in city streets in most parts of the world (India and USA included) as an ornamental , and indoors plant in colder climates.

- Narasipur Char