2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ficus elastic, or rubbery (lat. Ficus elastica) - evergreen plant of the genus Ficus
family Mulberry (lat. Mraceae) … In natural conditions of warm tropics, the plant is a tall, spreading tree. In areas where winter frosts do not allow the plant to grow in the open air, Ficus is grown as a houseplant, gently wiping dust from its oval hard leaves. The plant is the source of the latex-derived rubber that flows through its plant arteries. In rooms, Ficus elastic serves as an interior decoration and an air purifier from harmful impurities.
Description
The elastic ficus stands out among its congeners for its large size. During its life in natural conditions, the tree grows to a height of thirty to forty meters, but sometimes it can reach sixty meters. Tall trees also have a thick trunk, reaching a diameter of two meters. To support the heavy branches, part of the aerial roots, reaching the surface of the earth, anchor in the soil, providing strength and stability to the entire mighty tree.
Leaves of Ficus caoutchouciferous, arranged in a regular order on the stem, are wide, oval in shape, with a shiny hard surface, on which jets of tropical showers easily flow down, without causing destruction and injury to the leaves. The leaves of young trees are much larger than those that adorn old trees. Their length can reach forty-five centimeters, while the length of the leaves of oldies, as a rule, does not exceed ten centimeters. The width of the oval leaves varies from five to fifteen centimeters.
The process of the birth of leaves is interesting. During its development, the leaf is protected by an outer shell that grows as it develops. When fully ripe, the leaf unfolds, shedding this shell and revealing to the world an ordinary leaf typical of a plant, ready to perform its natural functions. The color of the surface of the leaf blade changes from pinkish-brown to dark green during maturation, but there are varieties with a spotty, elegant surface. The main longitudinal vein, painted in a pale green or almost white color, stands out in contrast on the dark surface and ends the leaf with a sharp nose. Lateral veins on the upper surface are almost invisible, but they are clearly distinguished on the back of the leaf plate.
Special structure of the fetus
The rubbery ficus, like its other relatives, does not show the world fragrant and bright flowers, since since ancient times, at least sixty million years old, it has entered into an agreement with wasps of a special species, which are quite satisfied with the small flowers of the plant hiding in an oval shelter.
The payment for pollination of flowers is the "rent" of a receptacle by the wasps, on which they lay their eggs to continue their species on the planet. The fig of this type of Ficus is more modest in size than that of the Fig tree (Fig) and reaches one centimeter. This does not prevent it from being completely edible. However, not for the sake of fruits, a person breeds Ficus elastic, but for the sake of latex flowing inside the plant, which is a raw material for the manufacture of rubber. This is what gave rise to such plant names as "Rubber Fig", "Rubber Tree", "Indian Rubber Bush" and the like.
Usage
The elastic ficus is a very picturesque plant, and therefore has gained popularity as a houseplant in areas with cold climates. Its shiny oval leaves create a special aura in the room, and therefore Ficus can often be found not only in residential premises, but also in various institutions and offices. Moreover, its leaves are a natural "vacuum cleaner" that absorbs dust and harmful odors in order to protect the respiratory organs of people from their negative effects. Breeders have bred hybrids with decorative variegated leaves, as well as with leaves that are wider and more rigid than those of the tropics growing in the wild.
In India, living bridges are made from Ficuses over rivers and abysses, directing the roots of plants in the required direction. Such bridges do not require repairs and serve people for a long time.
The milky white latex, which is carried throughout the plant and accumulates in special cells, was previously used to make rubber. Latex is toxic to human eyes and skin, and therefore requires careful handling.
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