Overview

Funtumia elastica is a plant with a tree habit in the genus Funtumia, part of the Apocynaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 25.0 m tall. Funtumia elastica grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include specimen plant, conservatories and tropical gardens. It is native to Burundi, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania.

About

Funtumia elastica is an evergreen African rubber tree that can reach around 25 m. It prefers full sun and a sheltered, south-facing position with moist but well-drained neutral soil. Native to several Central and West African countries, it is commonly grown as a specimen or in conservatories and tropical-style gardens. Growth is most active through spring and summer.

About the genus

Funtumia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1900. It is native to Africa.SpeciesFuntumia africana (Benth.) Stapf - widespread from Senegal to Tanzania, south to Zimbabwe Funtumia elastica (Preuss) Stapf - widespread from Senegal to Sudan + Tanzania, south to Zaire

Wikipedia contributors, "Funtumia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Funtumia

In the garden

Funtumia elastica is a large evergreen tree native to countries across central and west Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana and Tanzania. In its native range it develops into a tall, single-stemmed tree and in cultivation it is most often used where its scale can be accommodated, such as in large conservatories or as a solitary specimen in purpose-built tropical borders. Position it in full sun on a sheltered, south-facing aspect and use a neutral, moist but well-drained soil; the species tolerates sandy, loamy and clay soils provided they do not remain waterlogged. The plant is rated H2 (half-hardy) in UK terms and suits USDA zones 10–12, so it will need winter protection or indoor cultivation in most of the UK. Allow for its spring and summer growth by giving regular watering during the warm months and avoiding exposed, windy sites. Use Funtumia elastica where space and structure suit a large, evergreen tree: a conservatory, a dedicated tropical bed or a protected south-facing courtyard. When planting outdoors or against glass, allow enough room for a mature height of about 25 m so trunks and canopy do not interfere with buildings or glazing.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Funtumia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Funtumia elastica size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Tree

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

25.0 m

Suggested uses

Specimen plant, conservatories, tropical gardens

Native to

Burundi, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Funtumia elastica

Propagation

Seed, cuttings

Pest resistance

Susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs

Disease resistance

Susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soils

Frequently asked questions