Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)
Key Facts
Scientific Name: Hevea brasiliensis (also called the Pará rubber tree).
Native Home: The Amazonian rainforests in South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador).
Height: Grows up to 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters) tall.
Lifespan: Lives for up to 100 years in the wild, though plantation trees are farmed for 25 to 30 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Latex Sap: Trees produce a thick, milky-white liquid called latex.
Tapping: Workers make a shallow diagonal cut in the bark to let the sap drip into a cup.
Age to Tap: Trees are ready to be tapped when they are about 6 years old.
Products: Processed latex becomes natural rubber used for vehicle tires, waterproof items, and medical gloves.
History and Global Production
Ancient Discovery: Indigenous peoples like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec first used the sap for balls and waterproofing.
Global Spread: Seeds were taken to Southeast Asia in the 19th century. Today, countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia produce most of the world's natural rubber.
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