Panama Rubber Tree. Mastate blanco
Castilla elastica

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

Castilla elastica is a deciduous Tree growing to 40 m (131ft) by 35 m (114ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects, birds. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 40

Where it is found

Openings in moist lowland forest.

Northern S. America, north to southern Mexico.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The succulent fruit has a sweetish flavour. The ellipsoid reddish fruit is about 4cm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Design: Specimen tree. Botanic collection. Public open space. Agroforestry Uses: Members of this genus have a root system that consists of a rather short tap root and of several lateral roots spreading horizontally and so near the surface of the soil that they can often be followed for 20 to 30 metres. This root system makes it difficult to grow other crops under the tree. Other Uses A good quality latex can be tapped from the trunk. Produced copiously, trees 8 - 10 years old can yield up to 25kg of latex a year. Once harvested, the rubbery latex dries to become tough and resilient. The latex can be used commercially, and is also much used by local people who made items such as bouncing balls, waterproofing fabrics, artefacts etc. The latex is often tinted with natural dyes and used to make local handcrafts. The pale grey bark is fibrous. It strips off the trunk easily and is used to make cord. The bark is beaten to make into mats, blankets and clothing. The wood is yellow brown, moderately soft, light in weight, and not durable. It is used chiefly for fuel.

Agroforestry Services: Crop shade: Plants providing crop shade especially trees.

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Agroforestry Services: Crop shade: Plants providing crop shade especially trees.

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 30c, but can tolerate 15 - 34c. It can be killed by temperatures of 10c or lower. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,300 - 2,700mm, but tolerates 2,000 - 3,000mm. Grows best in a rich, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 7. Tapping of the trees for their latex can commence 7 years after planting. Plants have become invasive in some areas. A fast growing tree. Individual plants can either produce only male flowers (dioecious) or they can produce both male and female flowers (monoecious). Trees at 8-10 years old can yield 25kg (55lb) of latex (poor quality).

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe because it has a short viability.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Taspul, Caucho, Ule

Synonyms

Castilla costaricana Liebm. Castilla guatemalensis Pittier Castilla lactiflua O.F.Cook Castilla nicoyensis O.F.Cook Castilla panamensis O.F.Cook