Rabbitbrush
| Small in size, the Republic of Molossia is somewhat lacking in natural resources. However a recent discovery by the Molossian Ministry of Science indicates that we could almost literally have a gold mine in our very back yard. Molossia is replete with two main shrubs, sagebrush and rabbitbrush. While sagebrush lacks any particular economic value, rabbitbrush is another matter. Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamus nauseosus) has been reported to produce high quality rubber, that's right, rubber. Currently 90% of the world's rubber comes from Southeast Asia but exports of this important product can be threatened not only by disease and climate related crop failures, but also by political and economic factors. An alternative could be our own rabbitbrush. Research on distilling rubber from rabbitbrush goes back to World Wars I and II and continues here in the Great Basin in which Molossia lies. Cultivation of rabbitbrush for rubber production could provide Molossia with a high value crop which can be grown in previously uncultivated areas of our nation. Investigations continue as the Government of Molossia explores the viability of this idea. Let the rubber boom begin! |
Rabbitbrush |