Fig. 3
Different methods of harvesting latex: a, b natural rubber latex flows from incised bark into a cup, plantation on Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The inset in 3b shows a ceramic, glazed cup, a traditional receptacle now replaced by plastic; c, d harvest of latex from a large, over 50 m tall tree on Lingga Island, Indonesia, resembling a collection of balata [5, 10]; e, f ‘coils’ formed by rolling coagulated latex in the cut-groves, e coil, 190 mm in diameter, prepared by the tapper, 2 weeks old when imaged, overgrown by microorganisms; f fresh coil (sample LR18, used in analysis), 30 mm in diameter, was stored under water after harvest in January 2018; g large, granite stones used for maceration of leaves in Cipetir factory, Java, Indonesia, and h leaves in Cipetir plant show droplets of gutta percha latex exuding from a stem. (Images, H. Szczepanowska, 2017–2019)