Gums

The gums are formed as result of the disintegration of internal tissue (from the decomposition of cellulose), through a process known as 'gummosis'. Gum contains a large amount of sugar and is closely allied to the pectins. They are colloidal in nature and soluble in water and ether. They exude naturally from the stems, or in response to wounding. Gums are especially common in plants of dry regions. They find their greatest use as adhesives and are also used in printing and finishing textiles, as a sizing material for paper, in the paint and candy industries and as drugs.

Samples of the Estate Brown Crape and the crude rubber are kept on display in the 'Gums' show-case of the Economic Botany Gallery.