Ficus elastica 'Rubra'

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Synonyms:

Ficus clusiifolia

Common name:
Rubber Fig
Additional common name(s):
rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Clade:
Eudicots
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Moraceae

Biological Interest(s)

Ficus elasticus a certain type of fig wasp that has coevolved along with the spieces in order to protigate. Introduced to Hawaii and able to be grown,the absense of the fig wasp disallows the plant to produce viable seed. 

Ethnobotany

Largely used as ornatmental plants in the United States, in endemic countries, Ficus elasticus can grow 30-40 meters tall.  Training its roots over chasms to form natural bridges and previously used to make latex rubber (replaced commercially by Hevea berasiliensis for its non-toxic properties), Ficus elasticus has enjoyed a history of commercial use. 

References

  1.  Zhengyi Wu, Zhe-Kun Zhou & Michael G. Gilbert. "Ficus elastica". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  2.  Living Root Bridges
Specimen location:
Room 424