What is Latex?
Latex is a milky, sticky fluid that flows from wounds in certain plants. When you break a stem or leaf, white or colored liquid oozes out. This is latex - the plant's defensive system against herbivores and pathogens.
Characteristics
Physical Properties
- Color: Usually white, but can be yellow, orange, or red
- Consistency: Milky, sticky, often thick
- Coagulation: Dries and hardens when exposed to air
- Composition: Contains polymers, proteins, alkaloids
Why Trees Produce Latex
Defense Mechanisms:
- Seals wounds quickly
- Deters herbivores (bitter taste)
- Traps small insects
- Contains toxic compounds
- Antimicrobial properties
Safety Considerations
⚠️ Many latexes are irritating or toxic:
- Skin contact can cause rashes
- Eye contact is dangerous
- Some cause severe allergic reactions
- Never ingest latex
- Wear gloves when handling
Costa Rican Latex Trees
Ficus Species (Figs)
Higuerón (Ficus insipida):
- White latex, mildly irritating
- Used traditionally as glue
- Low toxicity
Matapalo (Ficus spp.):
- Copious white latex
- Moderate skin irritant
- Strangles host trees
Other Latex Producers
Papaya (Carica papaya):
- Milky white latex
- Contains papain enzyme
- Mildly irritating to skin
- Used for tenderizing meat
Hule (Rubber Tree) (Castilla elastica):
- Historical rubber source
- Abundant white latex
- Pre-Columbian rubber production
Latex vs. Sap vs. Resin
| Substance | Appearance | Consistency | Trees | | --------- | -------------- | ----------- | ------------ | | Latex | Milky white | Sticky | Figs, papaya | | Sap | Clear or amber | Watery | Most trees | | Resin | Amber, sticky | Thick | Pines, copal |
Historical Uses
Traditional Applications
- Rubber production: Pre-Columbian ballgames
- Glue: Bonding feathers to arrows
- Medicine: Digestive enzymes (papain)
- Waterproofing: Coating fabrics and baskets
- Chewing gum: Chicle from sapodilla
Modern Uses
- Natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
- Papain enzyme extraction
- Pharmaceutical compounds
- Research on plant defense
Identification Aid
Latex-Producing Families:
- Moraceae (figs, mulberries): White latex, often copious
- Apocynaceae (oleanders): White, often very toxic
- Euphorbiaceae (poinsettias): White, often caustic
- Caricaceae (papayas): White, enzyme-rich
- Sapotaceae (sapodillas): White to brown
Field Safety
When You Encounter Latex:
- Don't touch with bare hands
- Keep away from eyes and mouth
- Wash immediately if contact occurs
- Assume toxic until proven otherwise
- Use for identification but avoid handling
Why It Matters
Understanding latex helps with:
- Safety: Avoid toxic exposures
- Identification: Family-level classification
- Ecology: Plant defense strategies
- History: Traditional material uses
- Allergies: Latex sensitivity awareness