What is Latex Plants ? [ Types Of Latex Plants ]

What is Latex Plants ?

Cover Image Of What is Latex Plants ? [ Types Of Latex Plants ]

Latex plants are plants that produce a milky white liquid called latex. This liquid is a complex mixture of substances, including rubber, resins, waxes, and alkaloids. Latex is produced by many different plant families, but it is most commonly found in the following families:

* Euphorbiaceae (spurges)

* Apocynaceae (dogbanes)

* Asclepiadoideae (milkweeds)

* Moraceae (mulberries)

* Papaveraceae (poppies)

Latex is a protective substance that plants produce in response to injury. It can help to seal wounds, deter herbivores, and fight off infections.

Here are some of the different types of latex:

Rubber latex: 

This is the most common type of latex, and it is the source of natural rubber. Rubber latex is produced by the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).

Image of Para rubber tree

 

Opium latex: 

This type of latex is produced by the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium latex contains alkaloids, including morphine and codeine, which have pain-relieving properties.

Image of Opium poppy

 

Chicle latex:

This type of latex is produced by the sapodilla tree (Manilkara zapota). Chicle latex is used to make chewing gum.

Image of Sapodilla tree

 

Balata latex: 

This type of latex is produced by the bullet tree (Manilkara bidentata). Balata latex is used to make golf balls and other sporting goods.

 

Image of Bullet tree

Image of Bullet tree