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

Waynes World

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