Ficus elastica prefers bright sunlight but not hot temperatures. It has a high tolerance for drought, but prefers humidity and thrives in wet, tropical conditions. Ornamental hybrids (such as Robusta) have been derived from "Ficus elastica" with broader, stiffer and more upright leaves than the wild form. Many such hybrids exist, often with variegated leaves. "Ficus elastica" yields a milky white latex, a chemical compound separate from its sap and carried and stored in different cells. This latex was formerly used to make rubber, but it should not be confused with the Pará rubber tree, the main commercial source of latex for
Ficus hispida it parasitizes the other fig wasp "Ceratosolen solmsi". The yet unnamed nematode species "Caenorhabditis sp. 35" has been found in Aceh, Indonesia, associated with the tree. Ficus hispida Ficus hispida is a small but well distributed species of tropical fig tree. It occurs in many parts of Asia and as far south east as Australia. There is a large variety of local common names. Like a number of ficus, the leaves are sandpapery to touch. An unusual feature is the figs which hang on long stems. In Australia the fruit are eaten by cassowaries and double-eyed fig parrots. Phayre's leaf