Family: Moraceae
Species: Ficus elastica Roxb.
Common Name: Rubber Fig (Fico del caucciù)
Etymology:
The Ficus owes its name to the latex extracted from its trunk, which is used to produce a particularly high-quality rubber.
Description:
In its natural habitat, Ficus elastica can grow to impressive heights. It has a dark green trunk from which large, glossy, dark green oval leaves emerge, sometimes variegated with yellow and featuring a pronounced tip. The young leaf shoots are enclosed in a protective pink or reddish bract. The leaves are thick, substantial, and oval-shaped, with a short petiole that attaches directly to the stem, which can become woody over time.
The plant produces a small, inconspicuous, shortened flower spike, wrapped in a whitish sheath, but it holds no ornamental interest. The newly sprouted leaves are typically rolled up and have a reddish hue.
Habitat:
Native to tropical Asia.
Notes & Curiosities:
The most striking feature of Ficus elastica is its leaves, which can grow up to 40 cm long and vary in color depending on the variety. Their full beauty and elegance are best appreciated when they are kept clean and polished.
This species is also known as the “Rubber Tree” not only because of the latex inside, which is suitable for rubber production, but also because it is a true tree, capable of rapid growth. A walk through the streets of Palermo will reveal majestic specimens of Ficus elastica thriving in public gardens or residential courtyards.
The name Ficus was chosen by Carl Linnaeus, the father of scientific botany, due to the similarity of its fruit to that of the common fig (Ficus carica), which belongs to the same family.
Since ancient times, Ficus elastica has been a symbol of abundance, prosperity, hope, and health, believed to bring well-being to both adults and children.