Thursday, October 7, 2010

Amazing Trees out there (strangler figs and banyans)

yesterday's post of the fig tree sparked many comments about a fig tree being that big and eating figs in the Bible. This is NOT the fig tree that was in the Bible and not your ordinary fig tree that some people love the fruit of.


Amazing figs of the tropical rain forest

All info taken from Stranglers and Banyans, in
Of all the trees on earth, the figs (Ficus) certainly have the most bizarre growth forms and the most ingenious method of pollination. Imagine a tree with numerous snakelike, aerial roots growing downward from the limbs, a massive, buttressed trunk with huge surface roots spreading in all directions, and a peculiar aggressive growth habit that literally strangles other trees.

 Although most people are familiar with the Old World edible fig ,the vast majority of fig species grow wild in exotic tropical regions of the world.

Their unmistakable growth form resembles the background scenery from a "Tarzan" or "Rambo" movie.
 
Several unusual species were planted in Florida and southern California near the turn of the century, and include some of the most spectacular trees in parks and botanical gardens



Above is a wild air plant that just appeared in the arms of the fig tree

Check out how Tall the root is, about 20 inches

I took this photo at Emerson Point Preserve, Like a giant botanical boa constrictor, this strangler fig  is wrapped around the trunk of a palm, there are many of these on all the trails

The above type is called Banyan and are in the same family

In their native tropical habitats, many figs are called "stranglers." Seeds germinate high on the moist branches of rain forest trees, sending numerous aerial roots to the ground. The sticky seeds are dispersed by a variety of fruit-eating birds and bats


Close up of the bark

If you have time and are interested in these trees there is so much information on them that i did not know
and can not post at Waynes World

18 comments:

SquirrelQueen said...

I think they look more like the scenery from Alien. It is interesting how they wrap themselves around other trees.

I love your close up shot of the bark, that would look great blown up and framed.

MedaM said...

I've never seen anything like that in private. Those trees and their roots are just amazing, impressive and fantastic. You have taken wonderful series of photos. Thanks for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

We saw those kind of trees in Australia. They are amazing.

From the Kitchen said...

These trees and your photos are amazing. I've never seen such trees. I'll have to check out that location for when I'm next in Florida.

Best,
Bonnie

Ginny Hartzler said...

Phil and I are looking at this in wonder. He wonders how any other trees can be around them, and I say they CAN'T for very long. Now I would imagine that these fall over real easy, since most of the roots are above ground or real shallow. they are not grounded right. Sandra, you have so many amazing plants there that most people don't know about, you could literally start another blog like Fauna And Flora of Florida.

S. Etole said...

these just have a life of their own ... what a sight

Tipper said...

Just wow! I have never seen or heard of the trees-so very interesting-and just truly amazing too.

DawnTreader said...

Thanks for showing more photos of these + the info. The roots are really amazing, I've never seen anything like it.

Remington said...

Amazing pics! They certainly don't have trees like that in Minnesota.... Thanks for sharing the information. I love to learn new things!

George said...

Thanks for the information and explanation about these fascinating trees. They are definitely exotic.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Sandra for the clarification about the Fig Tree.... That is awesome how the roots grow above ground like that... Awesome.

Love the Banyons also---but I think I like the Figs better.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Dawning Inspiration said...

Those huge roots are so interesting and so very beautiful. I just noticed your quote with the rocking chair. Love it!

Kilauea Poetry said...

These are some of the best photos I've seen- fabulous..nice job Sandra! Great info too. Ours in the front is just a pup (lol)..but, it already has a mean hand shake! Wow, they are so old and gorgeous!!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Love your pics Sandra. These are not at all like our wild fig trees as none of them have those roots coming down and strangling the rest of the tree/s

srp said...

These remind me of the movies where the roots come up out of the ground and pull people under. Never loved those types of movies.

We had a couple of the regular edible fig trees in the yard of the old house. I don't like dried figs and never a fan of Fig Newtons, but fresh they are lovely and my mom and dad came up with a fig-apple pie that is simply delicious.... and with reduced sugar for mom. (They used splenda)

Sulo Heinola said...

teillä on siellä lämmin ilmasto ja hyvin eksoottisia puita.
Täällä Suomessa on juuri alkamassa kylmä talvi eivätkä viikunat kasva.

Unknown said...

Oh, these are great Sandra! I love Banyan trees!! They are growing all around Puerto Vallarta and I could just get lost in their root systems!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh cool, thank you for the link to this post ... to awesome!! love those roots. total character! ( :