Ficus
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Ficus species have been growing in tropical and subtropical regions for more than a thousand years. Most of them come originally from areas in Asia and Africa, but some originate in South America and Australia. The "real" fig tree (Ficus carica that produces edible figs) generally grows only in the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated there since ancient times. But there are other kinds of Ficus species as well! Another familiar ficus is the rubber tree (Ficus elastica). Did you know that in earlier times, the milky sap from the Ficus elastica was the leading source of latex used to produce rubber? These days, this species is important only as a houseplant. Most of the species we use as houseplants come from Southeast Asia. |
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