Latex is produced by 20,000 flowering plant species from over 40 families. Latex is usually exuded as a white liquid, but is some cases it can be clear, yellow or red, as in Cannabaceae. It is particularly noticeable in the cortical tissues. The laticiferous system is present in all parts of the mature plant, including roots, stems, leaves, and sometimes the fruits. In the mature plant, the entire laticiferous system is descended from a single cell or group of cells present in the embryo. In many euphorbs, the entire structure is made from a single cell вЂ“ this type of system is known as a non-articulated laticifer, to distinguish it from the multi-cellular structures discussed above. Early in the development of the seedling, latex cells differentiate, and as the plant grows these latex cells grow into a branching system extending throughout the plant. In the milkweed and spurge families, on the other hand, the laticiferous system is formed quite differently.

This includes Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a species cultivated for latex production.

For instance, Parthenium argentatum the guayule plant, is in the tribe Heliantheae other latex-bearing Asteraceae with articulated laticifers include members of the Cichorieae, a clade whose members produce latex, some of them in commercially interesting amounts. This method of formation is found in the poppy family and in the rubber trees ( Para rubber tree, members of the family Euphorbiaceae, members of the mulberry and fig family, such as the Panama rubber tree Castilla elastica), and members of the family Asteraceae. Since these vessels are made of many cells, they are known as articulated laticifers. The cell walls between these cells are dissolved so that continuous tubes, called latex vessels, are formed. In many plants, the laticiferous system is formed from rows of cells laid down in the meristem of the stem or root. The cells ( laticifers) in which latex is found make up the laticiferous system, which can form in two very different ways.

4.4 Industrial and biological applications from synthetic latexesД«iology Articulated laticifers.

Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing. The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non- vulcanized rubber. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions. It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for 'liquid'. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. It is a complex emulsion that coagulates on exposure to air, consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums. Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants ( angiosperms). Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.

Latex is a stable dispersion ( emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. The right and bottom margins are automatically computed to fit the page.Tapping of latex from a tree, for use in rubber production Here the text area, the left margin and the top margin are set. This example produces the following output:

Latexit cut off