According to the historical evidence, the first rubber trees to be tapped extensively belonged to Castilla species. Native tappers started to harvest latex from Hevea species when Castilla tree population almost disappeared. After the disappearance of the primeval stands of Castilla, Hevea became the first choice of the rubber gatherers, particularly near the streams. Rubber-producing plants are found all over the world – Ficus in India, Funtumia in Africa, Cryptostegia in India and Madagascar, Langdolphia in Africa and hundreds of latex-producing Apocynaceous vines and shrubs in southern China and the Malayan Peninsula. At.
