India Rubber Tree

Ficus elastica

Beng: atha bot

A large tree with large, shining, elliptic, firm, leathery, pointed leaves. Leaf nerves are very numerous and nearly parallel, running almost at right-angles to the prominent midrib. Leaf buds are covered with a pinkish sheath (which falls off when the leaf opens)

Bark: Grey or brown

Leaf: Large (5-10’’) firm, leathery, elliptic with a short, pointed tip. Veis are numerous parallel to each other and almost perpendicular to the midrib. Glossy green on top, pale and dull below,

Fig: Stalkless, small, arranged in pairs, yellow-green when ripe

Season: New leaves are produced in late winter; figs mature during rain.

Range/habitat: Moist Forest in north-east India (where often it grows to gigantic proportion) and lower Himalayas eastwards from Nepal.

Trivia and notes:

a) Used to be a primary source of rubber in nineth century but in twentieth century a Brazilian tree has totally replace it as the source of rubber

b) Various cultivars and hybrids have evolved for indoor potted plants

Where to Find: In Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, one tree outside Lion safari park just after crossing the public toilet.

GPS: 22.51248, 88.36027