Ficus elastica, also called rubber tree, rubber plant, Indian rubber tree, is a species of plant of the fig genus. It has broad shiny leaves and can grow from the size of a larger potted plant to the size of a tree. Although native to northern India and Southeast Asia, it is grown outside in warm climates in many parts of the world and grows inside in colder climates. Although it is grown in Hawaii, the species of wasp present to allow F. elastica to spread naturally is not currently present in Hawaii. It can yield a milky white sap which has latex that has been used in some cases to make natural rubber.
