Rubber tree will grow to heights of 100 to 130 feet, and can live up to 100 years. Rubber tree has soft wood; high, branching limbs; and a large area of bark. Its latex extracted from the tree’s trunk is a major source of natural rubber.
These trees are generally found in low-altitude moist forests, wetlands, riparian zones, forest gaps, and disturbed areas.
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. The latex coagulates with the aid of acetic acid, formic acid, and alum. Latex can also be concentrated for producing dipped goods, such as surgical gloves.
Seeds are source of rubber seed oil, recommended for manufacture of soap. Although poisonous, the seeds are a staple food of local peoples in the jungle. The seed needs to be treated by soaking for a prolonged period or boiling them to destroy the cyanic poisons.
Seeds are sometimes eaten off the ground by cattle. Kernels (50–60% of the seed) contain 40–50% of a semi-drying pale-yellow oil, used in soap making, paints, varnishes, and is effective against houseflies and lice.
Rubber tree
