Castilla elastica (Nahuatl) word for rubber was "ulli / olli", from which their word for the ballgame derived), and also their name for the ancient people they associated with the origin of the ballgame, the Olmecs ("olmeca": "rubber people"). The Nahuatl word for the tree of "Castilla elastica" is olicuáhuitl; in Spanish it is known as palo de hule. Caucho, castilloa rubber. Castilla elastica Castilla elastica, the Panama rubber tree, is a tree native to the tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It was the principal source of latex among the Mesoamerican peoples in pre-Columbian times. The latex
Living root bridges formed by guiding the pliable roots of the "Ficus elastica" tree across a stream or river, and then allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time until they can hold the weight of a human being. The young roots are sometimes tied or twisted together, and are often encouraged to combine with one another via the process of inosculation. As the "Ficus elastica" tree is well suited to anchoring itself to steep slopes and rocky surfaces, it is not difficult to encourage its roots to take hold on the opposite sides of river banks. As they are made from