A Natural Population of Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem., in Thailand

Abstract

Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem. (Indian rubber tree) was previously reported to be distributed in Eastern Himalaya, Khasi hill, Assam, Myanmar and to be absent from Thailand and Malaysia. Whereas in Thailand, it has been recognized as exotic species for many years until the collaborative researcher’s team of Natural History Museum of National Science Museum, Thailand and Thungyai Naresuan East Wildlife Sanctuary found a species similar to F. elastica, abundant in the deep jungle of Umphang (district). Samples were collected and carefully studied by comparing with type specimens. The results to confirm that the specimens belongs to F. elastica. Thus, the species is now claimed to be domestic of Thailand. This is the first report since long of a wild growing population of F. elastica showing that the species is not extinct in the wild. Combined with renewed collection of its pollinator in Java, and the colonization by the pollinator of planted trees in Singapore, this suggests that F. elastica may still present fertile populations in large parts of its original range.