Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem.

ഇന്ത്യന്‍ റബ്ബര്‍ മരം

Family : Moraceae

Synonym : Ficus elastica var. rubra L.

Common Names : Indian rubber tree, Assam rubber

Flowering Period : February – May

Distribution : Indo-Malaysia

Habitat : Planted as ornamental tree

Uses : Young leaves are eaten as vegetable. A decoction of the aerial rootlets is used as a vulnerary. The latex has been successfully used to treat five cases of trichuriasis. Latex is obtained from the bark of the stem; this can be used for all applications of natural rubber.

Key Characters :

Ficus elastica is a large evergreen, spreading branches without prop roots. Leaves lamina glossy above, oblong, margins entire. Hypanthodia sessile, pale-greenish. Male flowers: pedicellate, dispersed in the interior of receptacle; sepals 3- 4, ovate. Female flowers: sessile; sepals 4, free, ovary smooth with subterminal style. Figs ovoid-oblong, pale to yellowish brown.