Strangler Fig
by Grace
Strangler Statistics
What sounds scary and looks like a plumbing system? It’s the huge expanding (getting larger) strangler fig! Don’t read this as strangler pig. It’s strangler fig.
You’re probably thinking that it’s deadly. It is, but not to humans! But the strangler fig is deadly to trees.
The strangler fig looks like copper plumbing. If you’ve ever seen a penny, you know what copper looks like. So many pipes! In this case, the pipes are actually roots. Don't worry if you’re confused. You'll learn more. The strangler fig has a strange way of avoiding not getting enough sun and nutrients, or vitamins, for itself. It's a clever tree! You’ll learn if you keep reading, that the tree is truly fascinating.
These strangler figs are born killers. They strangle a host tree to get more nutrients and sunlight for themselves. Their habitat (home for a type of species) is really in every major rainforest. This is because there are many different types that all look a little different from each other. Don’t your family members look different from each other? I would hope so. Except twins.
Tricky Tree
In the dark rainforest, there is a tricky tree called the strangler fig. It slowly grows roots on its host tree.
The fig is a parasite to others. A parasite is a creature that takes and doesn’t return. It almost means it manipulates other trees. The strangler fig is a competitor for nutrients and sunlight. This tree has a strange behavior that you probably never knew a tree could do.
This tree strangles other trees! Can you believe it!?
At the rainforest floor, under the canopy (the upper layer of foliage of a forest) it’s hard to get sunlight. So the strangler fig has a way of avoiding this problem. Stranglers are territorial, they will protect their habitat. THEY WILL!
The strangler fig germinates (starts to sprout) on other trees! The strangler fig shoots, or grows, a factory of roots up the tree. These roots grow thicker and thicker as it cuts off the tree’s circulation. Circulation in this situation means the flow of nutrients and water getting cut off.
The strangler finally reaches the canopy. Then leaves start to sprout and flowers grow. The strangler fig has reached happiness!
The Circle of Life
Yay! You have scrolled down to learn more about my fascinating study of the strangler fig!
If you were wondering more, we are going to learn about the strangler’s reproduction (life cycle.)
To start growing, first, we need a seed. The seeds come from the fruits of the trees. Animals eat the fruit, so, they end up dispersing the seeds (meaning animals poop out the seeds.) Ha!
So now we have a seed. The seed lands either on a tree branch or the ground. Let's say that it landed on a tree branch. Sometimes the seedling germinates in the crevices (a small crack) of trees.
Okay now, the seed has landed! This tiny seed will soon germinate, or sprout. Slowly, half the speed you’re thinking of, the seedling sprouts!
It starts sending a factory of roots down the tree’s trunk. Finally it reaches the bottom. The roots get thicker and strong. Right now the strangler is maturing. That means it’s almost time for the host tree to die. Let's hope that the host tree has had a good life.
The roots get thicker and stronger. Now the strangler fig has reached the level of adult!
The flowers sprout. The fruits grow. Another animal will eat this parasite and plant the seed again. This will happen over again. Oh well for the host trees!
Several Kinds of Stranglers Have Several Kinds of Habitats
Have you ever wondered if there were different stranglers? Actually there are many kinds, not surprisingly.
One kind of strangler is called Fica religiosa, it’s known as the Sacred Fig or Bo Tree. It is a native (born in certain place) from the Indian Subcontinent to southwest China and Indochina.
Another strangler is known as Chinese Banyan, or Malayan Banyan. Its Latin name is Ficus microcapapa. It germinates (sprouts) in its native country. The range is from the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia to Australia and New Calendonia.
Wow! These trees germinate nearly world wide!
Imagine this sneaky tree creeping up on you and taking away your flow of nutrients and water. Scary!
by Grace
Strangler Statistics
What sounds scary and looks like a plumbing system? It’s the huge expanding (getting larger) strangler fig! Don’t read this as strangler pig. It’s strangler fig.
You’re probably thinking that it’s deadly. It is, but not to humans! But the strangler fig is deadly to trees.
The strangler fig looks like copper plumbing. If you’ve ever seen a penny, you know what copper looks like. So many pipes! In this case, the pipes are actually roots. Don't worry if you’re confused. You'll learn more. The strangler fig has a strange way of avoiding not getting enough sun and nutrients, or vitamins, for itself. It's a clever tree! You’ll learn if you keep reading, that the tree is truly fascinating.
These strangler figs are born killers. They strangle a host tree to get more nutrients and sunlight for themselves. Their habitat (home for a type of species) is really in every major rainforest. This is because there are many different types that all look a little different from each other. Don’t your family members look different from each other? I would hope so. Except twins.
Tricky Tree
In the dark rainforest, there is a tricky tree called the strangler fig. It slowly grows roots on its host tree.
The fig is a parasite to others. A parasite is a creature that takes and doesn’t return. It almost means it manipulates other trees. The strangler fig is a competitor for nutrients and sunlight. This tree has a strange behavior that you probably never knew a tree could do.
This tree strangles other trees! Can you believe it!?
At the rainforest floor, under the canopy (the upper layer of foliage of a forest) it’s hard to get sunlight. So the strangler fig has a way of avoiding this problem. Stranglers are territorial, they will protect their habitat. THEY WILL!
The strangler fig germinates (starts to sprout) on other trees! The strangler fig shoots, or grows, a factory of roots up the tree. These roots grow thicker and thicker as it cuts off the tree’s circulation. Circulation in this situation means the flow of nutrients and water getting cut off.
The strangler finally reaches the canopy. Then leaves start to sprout and flowers grow. The strangler fig has reached happiness!
The Circle of Life
Yay! You have scrolled down to learn more about my fascinating study of the strangler fig!
If you were wondering more, we are going to learn about the strangler’s reproduction (life cycle.)
To start growing, first, we need a seed. The seeds come from the fruits of the trees. Animals eat the fruit, so, they end up dispersing the seeds (meaning animals poop out the seeds.) Ha!
So now we have a seed. The seed lands either on a tree branch or the ground. Let's say that it landed on a tree branch. Sometimes the seedling germinates in the crevices (a small crack) of trees.
Okay now, the seed has landed! This tiny seed will soon germinate, or sprout. Slowly, half the speed you’re thinking of, the seedling sprouts!
It starts sending a factory of roots down the tree’s trunk. Finally it reaches the bottom. The roots get thicker and strong. Right now the strangler is maturing. That means it’s almost time for the host tree to die. Let's hope that the host tree has had a good life.
The roots get thicker and stronger. Now the strangler fig has reached the level of adult!
The flowers sprout. The fruits grow. Another animal will eat this parasite and plant the seed again. This will happen over again. Oh well for the host trees!
Several Kinds of Stranglers Have Several Kinds of Habitats
Have you ever wondered if there were different stranglers? Actually there are many kinds, not surprisingly.
One kind of strangler is called Fica religiosa, it’s known as the Sacred Fig or Bo Tree. It is a native (born in certain place) from the Indian Subcontinent to southwest China and Indochina.
Another strangler is known as Chinese Banyan, or Malayan Banyan. Its Latin name is Ficus microcapapa. It germinates (sprouts) in its native country. The range is from the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia to Australia and New Calendonia.
Wow! These trees germinate nearly world wide!
Imagine this sneaky tree creeping up on you and taking away your flow of nutrients and water. Scary!