rubber tree

noun

: a tree that yields rubber
especially : a South American tree (Hevea brasiliensis) of the spurge family that is cultivated in plantations and is a chief source of rubber

Illustration of rubber tree

Illustration of rubber tree

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Plus, Birkenstocks are one of the most eco-friendly sandals out there because the footbed is made from renewable resources, including natural cork and latex from rubber tree resin. Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2023 Naturepedic Organic Sculpted Latex Pillow Natural latex is foam that comes from the rubber tree, and this pillow uses latex that's certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard. Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 14 Sep. 2020 Golden pothos, Philodendron Congo Rojo, Snake Plant, Monstera, Ruby rubber tree, staghorn fern and Hoya pubicalyx. Ashley Abramson, BostonGlobe.com, 22 May 2022 Latex is the milky white fluid produced by the rubber tree, and it can be harvested without killing the tree. Starre Vartan, Treehugger, 24 Jan. 2023 Previous leafy finds from the Amazon led to the discovery of the rubber tree and the cinchona tree, which is used to make the malaria drug quinine. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2016 The Aztecs knew this scrubby desert plant was a source of natural latex, but since the discovery of vulcanization in 1839, rubber production has been primarily centered around the more tropical rubber tree (hevea). Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 9 Oct. 2022 If a small indoor tree for feng shui is on your radar, the rubber tree plant's thick, glossy leaves and purple stripes may fit the bill. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 6 Sep. 2022 The 23-year-old digital-experience specialist now owns a rubber tree, an orchid, a monstera, a fern, a few succulents, a bouquet of flowers and a bonsai tree. Lauryn Azu, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rubber tree.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubber tree was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near rubber tree

Cite this Entry

“Rubber tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubber%20tree. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

rubber tree

noun
: a tree that produces rubber
especially : a South American tree that is often grown on plantations as a commercial source of rubber

More from Merriam-Webster on rubber tree

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