1746 



A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



trunk often becomes hollow and many fine trees have been lost by the 

 collapse of the trunk during gales. 



The genus Ficiis (Fig. 1624) is a very large and important one with 

 800 species. The plants are mostly trees or shrubs with large, entire, 

 alternate leaves, with stipules which envelop the buds and drop off soon 



I 



Fig. 1624. — Ficus sp. Giant tree at San Isidro, Chile. 



after the latter have unfolded. The genus though widely distributed is 

 most characteristic of the vegetation of the P^ast Indies and Australasia. 

 Many are epiphytes and produce adventitious aerial roots which eventually 

 replace the primary root. These roots clasp the trunk of the supporting 

 tree and by joining together they form a woody case in which the support 

 soon perishes, leaving the epiphyte Ficus independent. 



The following are some of the principal species: 



Ficus elastica is the India Rubber Tree. Though in cultivation it grows 

 as a stout independent tree, it may be found in Nature as an epiphyte 

 reaching a very large size. Buttress roots are often produced at the base 

 which grows out in all directions and form woody walls only a few inches 

 in thickness but about a foot in height. They may spread out 20 or more 

 feet from the trunk. The leaves (Fig. 1625) are entire and of a leathery 

 texture with a waxy surface which defies wetting. Caoutchouc is obtained 

 from the latex, which is contained in latex canals distributed in the cortex 

 and phloem. Adventitious roots descend from the branches and form 

 great pillars which support the larger branches. It is cultivated particularly 

 in India and Malaya. 



Ficus benghaleusis is the Banyan Tree (Fig. 826, Vol. I). It is a tree 





