Strangler fig: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Strangler fig kerala.jpg|200px|left|Early stages of a strangler fig on a host tree in the [[Western Ghats]].]] |
[[Image:Strangler fig kerala.jpg|200px|left|Early stages of a strangler fig on a host tree in the [[Western Ghats]].]] |
||
'''Strangler Figs''' are species of [[fig]] that begin their lives as [[epiphytes]] as their seed lodge in the cracks and crevices of the bark of a host tree. The seeds germinate and send out air roots. During this initial phase the plant grows comparatively slowly. Each air root takes in nutrients and water from the air and host tree. Eventually the air roots grow to reach the ground and develop their own underground root system, independent of the host tree. This is when the strangler fig earns its name. It begins to grow very quickly, often during this process, the strangler fig covers the host tree with its own trunk and strangles the host tree, hence the common name. The host tree is forced to compete for water and light and prevented from growing by the Stranglers hold on its trunk. In time the host tree dies and rots away. The strangler fig does not collapse however and continues to exist as a hollow tubular lattice which many forest animals use as shelter. New branches grow and if these reach the ground, they will send out new shoots and roots. Over time, this can create a compound structure of trees that covers a large area of interlocking vines.Strangler Figs can also be found in the |
'''Strangler Figs''' are species of [[fig]] that begin their lives as [[epiphytes]] as their [[seed]] lodge in the cracks and crevices of the bark of a host [[tree]]. The seeds germinate and send out air [[root|roots]]. During this initial phase the plant grows comparatively slowly. Each air root takes in nutrients and water from the air and host tree. Eventually the air roots grow to reach the ground and develop their own underground root system, independent of the host tree. This is when the strangler fig earns its name. It begins to grow very quickly, often during this process, the strangler fig covers the host tree with its own trunk and strangles the host tree, hence the common name. The host tree is forced to compete for water and light and prevented from growing by the Stranglers hold on its trunk. In time the host tree dies and rots away. The strangler fig does not collapse however and continues to exist as a hollow tubular lattice which many forest animals use as shelter. New branches grow and if these reach the ground, they will send out new shoots and roots. Over time, this can create a compound structure of trees that covers a large area of interlocking vines.Strangler Figs can also be found in the [[Amazon Rainforest]]. |
||
''[[Ficus citrifolia]]'' is a common species of Strangler Fig found in Florida. |
''[[Ficus citrifolia]]'' is a common species of Strangler Fig found in [[Florida]]. |
||
Other strangler figs include ''Ficus barbata'', which gave [[Barbados]] its name. Numerous tropical species show the strangler habit of growth. |
Other strangler figs include ''Ficus barbata'', which gave [[Barbados]] its name. Numerous tropical species show the strangler habit of growth. |
||
Revision as of 01:51, 1 April 2006
Strangler Figs are species of fig that begin their lives as epiphytes as their seed lodge in the cracks and crevices of the bark of a host tree. The seeds germinate and send out air roots. During this initial phase the plant grows comparatively slowly. Each air root takes in nutrients and water from the air and host tree. Eventually the air roots grow to reach the ground and develop their own underground root system, independent of the host tree. This is when the strangler fig earns its name. It begins to grow very quickly, often during this process, the strangler fig covers the host tree with its own trunk and strangles the host tree, hence the common name. The host tree is forced to compete for water and light and prevented from growing by the Stranglers hold on its trunk. In time the host tree dies and rots away. The strangler fig does not collapse however and continues to exist as a hollow tubular lattice which many forest animals use as shelter. New branches grow and if these reach the ground, they will send out new shoots and roots. Over time, this can create a compound structure of trees that covers a large area of interlocking vines.Strangler Figs can also be found in the Amazon Rainforest.
Ficus citrifolia is a common species of Strangler Fig found in Florida. Other strangler figs include Ficus barbata, which gave Barbados its name. Numerous tropical species show the strangler habit of growth.
External links
 | This fruit-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This tree-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |