Facts about Rubber Tree inform the readers with a tree included in the family Euphorbiaceae. The scientific name of rubber tree is Hevea brasiliensis. The genus of rubber tree is Hevea. People also call it as seringueira, sharinga tree, and Pará rubber tree. The main source of natural rubber is from rubber tree. Therefore, this plant is commercially important. The height of a rubber tree can reach 141 feet or 43 metres in the wild area. This tree is very small. It is also included as a type of deciduous tree. When it lives in the cultivated area, it has shorter height because the growth of the tree is suppressed by the latex tapping. Let us find out other important facts about rubber tree:
Facts about Rubber Tree 1: the bark color
Can you guess the bark color of a rubber tree? It has a brown color. When the inner bark is damaged, it will produce latex.
Facts about Rubber Tree 2: the characteristics of the trunk
The trunk is characterized with swollen look. It has cylindrical shape. The shape of its base reminds you with a bottle.
Facts about Rubber Tree 3: the characteristics of rubber tree’s leaves
The leaves of a rubber tree have a spiral arrangement. Moreover, you can find three leaflets on the leaf.
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Facts about Rubber Tree 4: flowers
The flowers have separate male and female. You will not find any petals on it. It has the creamy yellow color. The three large seeds are found on the fruit. When the fruit is ripe, it will open explosively.
Facts about Rubber Tree 5: latex
Latex is considered as an important commodity in the world. It is produced by the bark of rubber tree. It comes in yellow or white color.
Facts about Rubber Tree 6: the size of rubber tree
As I have stated before, the size of rubber tree is higher in the wild than in the cultivated areas or plantations. There are two primary reasons on such phenomenon. The rubber tree in the plantation has slower growth level if they are tapped for latex. The second reason is due to the cutting down of the tree after it is 30 years old. When the rubber tree grows older, it will generate less amount of latex. Therefore, the people have to cut it down. With a small amount of latex, it means that the people can only get less money from it.
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Facts about Rubber Tree 7: climate
Rubber tree needs subtropical or tropical climate to grow well. The frost should not be present in the area. Moreover, the tree will need at least 1,200 mm of rainfall annually.
Facts about Rubber Tree 8: the effect
The rubber tree will break and brittle when it faces frost.
Facts about Rubber Tree 9: the wood of rubber tree
When the rubber tree reaches 30 years old, the wood will be used to make furniture pieces.
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Facts about Rubber Tree 10: the locations of rubber tree plantations
South Asia and Southeast Asia have the most rubber tree plantations.
Are you impressed reading facts about rubber tree?