Ficus elastica (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Ficus elastica Moraceae Native to Southeast Asia

• English: Indian rubber tree, Rubber plant
• Amargna: Yegoma zaf

This large-leaved tree has been introduced to many places in the world, including some places in Ethiopia. It grows in Moist and Wet Kolla, Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones, 800–2,700 m.

Shade, ornamental.

A large, spreading evergreen tree to 30 m in its native rain forests. It may grow many aerial roots from the trunk and branches.

• LEAVES: Large, oval and shiny, long, abruptly pointed with parallel side veins, rather leathery to 30 cm, on a yellow stalk to 6 cm. The leaf bud is covered with a pink-red membranous stipule, usually 7 cm but as long as 30 cm on young plants. It falls away when the leaves unfold.
• FRUIT: Figs, not often seen, yellow oblong about 1 cm in pairs in the leaf axils.

Cuttings strike easily.

Not used.

• Treatment: Not applicable
• Storage: Not applicable

Plant widely spaced.

White latex, India rubber, was extracted from the trunk and prop roots, but the rubber is inferior to that from Hevea brasiliensis. It contains too much resin and can only be tapped every three months.