Question

Ficus elastica (Indian rubber plant) is a member of the family
(A) Moraceae
(B) Euphorbiaceae
(C) Papaveraceae
(D) Asclepiadaceae

Answer 1

Hint: Ficus elastica, also known as rubber fig or rubber tree belongs to the genus Ficus. Each plant species is grouped under a family having similar characteristic features. Likewise, the Indian rubber plant is grouped under the family Moraceae, which is also known as the mulberry family or fig family.

Complete answer: Ficus elastica is commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is native to Southeast Asian countries like Sri Lanka, India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is also known as the Indian rubber plant or rubber fig. It is one of the largest trees among the plants belonging to the genus Ficus. Each plant species is grouped under its respective class, order, and family. Likewise, Ficus elastica or Indian rubber plant belongs to the family Moraceae. Moraceae is also known as the mulberry family or fig family, belonging to the group of flowering plants.
Understanding the options one by one,
-Moraceae: It is also known as the mulberry or fig family and hence Ficus elastica belongs to this family. Therefore, this is the correct answer.
-Euphorbiaceae: It is also known as the spurge family of flowering plants which mostly includes shrubs, herbs, and also cacti. Thus, this cannot be the correct answer.
-Papaveraceae: It is also known as a poppy family which includes economically important herbs, woody shrubs native to temperate and subtropical climates. Thus, this is not the correct answer.
-Asclepiadaceae: It is also known as the milkweed family, recently categorized as a sub-family. It includes mostly perennial herbs and twiners. Thus, this is not the correct answer.
Therefore, Option (A) is correct.

Note: Moraceae is also known as the mulberry or fig family. Therefore, it is easy to identify that all types of fig trees and mulberry trees belong to the family Moraceae. Moreover, it is essential to know that even though Ficus elastica is known as an Indian rubber plant, commercial rubber latex is not derived from this tree.