Indian Rubber Tree

The Indian Rubber is a medium to large evergreen tree found in moist tropical forests. It is fast growing and reaches up to 30 m in height. It develops numerous descending aerial roots. It is a type of fig tree and can be distinguished from other fig trees by its young leaves which are enclosed in a red sheath.

The Indian Rubber was once an economically important plant in this region. Its latex was tapped and processed into a type of rubber known as gutta rambong. However, following the introduction of the Pará Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), the cultivation of Indian Rubber and tapping of its latex was slowly phased out. This was because the Pará Rubber produced higher quality latex and could be tapped about six years after being planted, while the Indian Rubber required about 15 years before it could be tapped. This tree has stood here since at least 1955, as it can be identified in old photographs dating to that year.

Unique ID for Heritage Tree

HT 2010-181

Location

Found in In front of National Museum of Singapore

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Heritage Tree Information

Scientific name: Ficus elastica
Common name: Indian Rubber Tree
Girth: 19.75 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 18.6 m