Choose a language from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this page. Click for price (link to Amazon) Butyl rubber is also called Isobutylene-isoprene, or IIR, … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Latex being tapped from trees on a rubber plantation near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Cutting the bark of this tree releases the latex which is then collected, preserved, and stabilized. Hevea brasiliensis, the Para rubber tree, often simply called rubber tree, is a tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae and the most economically important member of the genus Hevea. Rubber plant or tree, rubber bush (common). These large trees can grow up to 50 feet (15 m.) tall. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Seeds are source of Para Rubber seed oil, recommended for manufacture of soap. Latex can also be concentrated for producing dipped goods, such as surgical gloves. *rubber plant* Evergreen fig [1] native to India [2] and Malaysia [3]. Cultivated on plantations in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Southeast Asia and western Africa, it replaced the rubber plant in the early 20th century as the chief source of natural rubber. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. With skill, a single rubber tree can be tapped for 20 to 25 years. After workers cut a slit in the bark, latex runs out and collects in a cup. The rubber tree can only thrive in hot, damp regions near the equator, so 90% of true rubber production today occurs in these areas. Avoid lower than 55°F (12°C), sudden temperature drops and cold drafts. But no matter … Most of the rubber produced today is synthetic. The white or yellow latex occurs in latex vessels in the bark, mostly outside the phloem. Most rubber plantation s … (50 cm), usually with a short bole, and with a sloped taper. Europeans brought rubber trees to other tropical regions, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Africa. Britannica does not review the converted text. Its most famous feature is the milky white sap, known as latex, which flows freely from the tree when a sliver of bark is removed. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In the wild, the rubber tree will grow to heights of 100 to 130 feet, and can live up to 100 years. We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. Rubber tree, also known by its scientific name 'Ficus elastica' is available in many different varieties. Natural rubber is made from the milky sap of a plant. When the tree is planted in its original location, it can grow for more than 100 ft. Updates? It’s seen in many cases that houseplants initiate an allergic reaction in their … Temperature: Average room temperatures of 60 - 75°F (15 - 24°C are fine. To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma. Rubber tree, (Hevea brasiliensis), South American tropical tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Rubber tree, (Hevea brasiliensis), South American tropical tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Uses. During World War I Germany made tons of synthetic rubber because that country was cut off from supplies of natural rubber. Although poisonous, seeds can be eaten as a famine food after processing. The flowers are small and have no petals. Tapping rubber is a highly skilled operation; the vessels need to be tapped without damaging them. Once cultivated for its white latex [4] to make India rubber, it has large, glossy, leathery leaves and a stout, buttressed trunk. There are several kinds of plants ... Where Rubber Trees Grow. Exposure – abundant indirect light Foliage – evergreen. Rubber is a very important and useful substance. People also use the wood of rubber trees in construction and papermaking. In the wild they may reach heights of 100 to 125 ft (30-38 m) with large cylindrical trunks with or without buttresses. The large, thick leaves are dark green, sometimes with a bronze or reddish tint when young. Rubber trees can grow to be 65 to 130 feet (20 to 40 meters) tall. Because the main goal of rubber wood is the latex production, the timber is harvested when the tree reaches the end of its production cycle. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. They thrive outdoors in their native tropical climate, where they grow as shade trees. No Allergic Properties. Tree-sized in the tropics, juvenile specimens are grown as houseplants in temperate regions. Cultivated on plantations in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Southeast Asia and western Africa , it replaced the Rubber tree plants (Ficus elastica) are grown all over the world as houseplants. People grow rubber trees mainly for the sap, called latex. Height – 10 feet (3 meters) indoors Soil – indoor plant soil mix. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements! Synthetic rubber is made from chemicals found in petroleum, natural gas, and grain alcohol. Most of the popular practices link the Ficus tree back to one of its native lands, Asia. Para Rubber trees belong to the Euphorbiaceae family. But of course, what makes rubber trees remarkable is the milky substance that emerges from them whenever their inner bark is damaged or cut into. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar. Poisonous for pets: Toxic to cats and dogs. The male and female flowers are found on the same tree. Rubber trees grow to 100 feet tall in … Hevea brasiliensis is the tree that most rubber comes from. These trees widely found in the Amazon and bring profit to many indigenous tribes. Facts When the bark is cut, an interconnecting system of tubular vessels just beneath its surface exudes rubber latex, a sticky, milky fluid. Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops. To learn more about cookies and your cookie choices. The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages. The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) could be the ideal houseplant for you if you want a tough but easy going indoor plant that can reach staggering heights within just a few years.The shiny glossy leaves look great in most homes and although young plants start off small they will fill the space in an empty corner quickly. Here are some interesting facts about the rubber tree. Crop trees reach a width of about 20 in. The sap flows from the trees once a piece of the bark is removed. Rubber trees grow best in hot, humid climates with deep, well-drained soil. Hardy rubber-tree, a native of China, can be used in the landscape as a shade tree. In 1910 a scientist in Russia discovered how to create synthetic, or human-made, rubber. Another benefit is stopping the old trees which don’t produce latex anymore to rot preventing more release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ficus elastica (botanical/scientific). It has become naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and the US State of Florida. Rubber is obtained by tapping the trunks of the trees. People grow rubber trees mainly for the sap, called latex. Until the early 20th century rubber trees were the only source of rubber. Rubber is a very important and useful substance. Also, some people make rubber balls and homemade shoes … Facts: Rubber Tree. This process is called tapping. "Hevea brasiliensis is the source of virtually all the world's rubber production. Rubber Tree Care and Types Rubber trees and shrubs are in fact relatively easy to care for. Rubber Plant Care. Their trunks are smooth and gray. Like most rubber band manufacturers, Alliance Rubber Company obtains its natural rubber from the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. They started from seeds of one original tree that means each one is identical to all the other ones. A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar. Ficus elastica, the rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, is a species of plant in the fig genus, native to eastern parts of South Asia and southeast Asia. One fact is that there is something called a plantation tree. rubber tree. In addition to being elastic, or able to stretch, rubber is tough and waterproof. The trees can be tapped for their latex sap once they have reach six years of age. Introduction. Rubber trees originally grew in the Amazon Basin in South America. Ficus trees have had a significant influence on both cultural and religious practices and traditions. Rubber trees have soft wood, with limbs that emerge high up the trunk to branch outwards. Omissions? Rubber plant is a large, evergreen tree that grows about 30–40 meters (98–131 ft.) (rarely up to 60 meters or 200 feet) tall, with a stout trunk up to 2 meters (6.6 ft.) in diameter. This website uses cookies to help deliver and improve our services and provide you with a much richer experience during your visit. A rubber tree, also referred to as rubberwood, can be tapped for latex once it reaches approximately six years of age. Most of the world’s natural rubber, however, comes from the rubber tree with the scientific name Hevea brasiliensis. The fruit of the rubber tree is a capsule and explodes to release and disperse the seeds. There are several kinds of plants that can produce rubber. The seeds are scattered 30 meters away from the tree. Butyl Rubber. A rubber tree plant is also known as a Ficus elastica. ‘Decora’ has the classic dark green leaves with white ribs. It has an attractive round to broad-spreading form and during summer, the thick leaves are a very glossy green. ‘Doescheri’ is a pretty variegated variety. Rubber trees, formally ficus elastica, can be enjoyed as either medium-sized house plants or grown to become focal point, beautiful indoor trees.If you’re patient enough to grow your own, plants that start out younger when you buy them adapt better to … Corrections? Physical Features. It has soft wood; high, branching limbs; and a large area of bark. The latex is located in the inner bark of the tree and flows in the vessels of the tree. The slit later closes up, so workers make a new one below it to collect more latex. The rubber tree, or Ficus elastica, is a very beautiful indoor plant much liked for its shiny thick leathery leaves.. Ficus elastica facts. It may be shaped into many objects, including tires, hoses, shoe soles, and balls. The milky liquid (latex) that oozes from any wound to the tree bark contains about 30 percent rubber, which can be coagulated and processed into solid products, such as tires. One kind, the India rubber plant, is a common houseplant. Rubber tree seeds In the wild, the tree can reach a height of up to 140 feet (43 m). They grow taller in the wild than on plantations. They do not have any branches on the lower trunk, but they have many leafy branches at the top. They produce pungent yellowish flowers and a capsule-like fruit, and can live for more than one hundred years. Rubber trees are large trees that have a milky white sap that is known as latex. ‘Rubra’ has pretty burgundy leaves. When learning how to care for a rubber tree plant, there are a few key things to remember, but rubber plant care isn’t as difficult as one might think. tree: Trees of special interest …in several tropical figs ( Ficus ), including one popular in small sizes as a houseplant—the rubber plant ( F. elastica ). Max Growth (approx): Height 10ft (3m). Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards. Latex is thought to … They then dry and press the latex into blocks or sheets of rubber. Most noteworthy of the group is the banyan tree ( F. benghalensis ) of India; its numerous prop roots develop into secondary trunks that support the widespreading head of massive, constantly extending branches.… The flowers of the rubber tree are cream to yellow and have a pungent smell. Their leaves grow in groups of three narrow parts called leaflets. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The latex sap from the rubber tree was once used to make shoes and waterproof clothes. rubber tree Any of several South American trees whose exudations can be made into rubber; especially Hevea brasiliensis (family Euphorbiaceae), a tall softwood tree native to Brazil but introduced to Malaysia.The milky exudate, called latex, is obtained from the inner bark by tapping and then coagulated by smoking over fires or chemically. Some latex that is not processed as rubber is used to make medical gloves, balloons, and other products. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Bees make honey from the nectar that they get from rubber tree flowers. Monday, November 02, 2015. We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. These vessels spiral up the tree in a right-handed helix which forms an angle of about 30 degrees … Cured rubber is used for all types of rubber products. Other plants that have the special sap (called latex) are figs (Ficus elastica), Castilla (Panama rubber tree), euphorbias, lettuce, the common dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz (Russian dandelion), Scorzonera tau-saghyz, and Guayule. The seeds of rubber trees produce oil that can be used in soap, paints, varnishes, and insect repellent. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/rubber-tree, rubber tree - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), rubber tree - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Cream-colored or yellow flowers produce large fruits that contain seeds. Natural rubber is made from the milky sap of a plant. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. About the Rubber Tree Houseplant . Asia now produces most of the world’s natural rubber. It is of major economic importance because its sap-like extract (known as latex) can be collected and is the primary source of natural rubber. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Rubber makers mix the latex with chemicals to thicken it.

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