Ficus Elastica Melany, aka Rubber Plant Melany, is a popular ornamental plant from the Ficus genus. It has highly glossy leaves that are greenish burgundy in colour and it is unusual in that it is more compact than other varieties of rubber plants. Belonging to the Fig family, Moraceae, it was used for its latex sap to make rubber before synthetics were made available. Rubber plants make excellent houseplants, as they can tolerate low-light and help clean the indoor air from pollutants.