Many plant functions have been attributed to latex. Some regard it as a form of stored food, while others consider it an excretory product in which waste products of the plant are deposited. Still others believe it functions to protect the plant in case of injuries; drying to form a protective layer that prevents the entry of fungi and bacteria. Similarly, it may provide some protection against browsing animals, since in some plants latex is very bitter or even poisonous. It may be that latex fulfills all of these functions to varying degrees in the numerous plant species in which it occurs.
Latex has many uses, from clothing to paint, but its first and foremost is rubber. Chicle, widely used as a base for chewing gum, is another latex product. Latex paint uses synthetic latex as a binder, which is not flammable, has little odor, and cures to form a dry paint film. Finally, poppy latex is a source of opium and its many derivatives.
Some people have a serious latex allergy, and exposure to latex or rubber products such as rubber gloves can cause anaphylactic shock. As latex has a protein found also in bananas, care should be taken to ensure people are not allergic to both. Guayule latex is hypoallergenic and is being researched as a substitute to the allergy inducing Hevea latexes.
Photo 1: An open latex condom (cropped)
Photo 2: Photomodels wearing rubber-miniskirts and -tops
(Source: wikimedia; photo 2 is under "GNU Free Documentation License". )
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