Strangler Fig

The strangler fig is a very interesting tree. It uses its host to give it access to sunlight by starting to grow at the top of the tree and sending roots down from there. As the name suggests it eventually strangles the host tree. My favorite specimen fascinated me for years before I realized it was actually a strangler fig. It is located on the road between Chacala and Las Varas.

It shows the trunk made up of a mass of roots heading down for nourishment.

It really is a fine specimen with a substantial girth and it is located in an easy spot to stop for a visit.

It was not until I looked very closely that I spotted the stub of the dead host sticking out of the crown and realized what it was.

A better photo is surely coming but this one shows a young specimen. It is dead probably because it started at the bottom of the host rather than the top.

One of its favorite hosts is the oil palm which also makes a fine construction post. They are often featured as decorative elements locally.

Our “revisit” tree is also located on the road from Las Varas to Chacala. In late March it is in full leaf so perhaps it never loses its leaves. It will be interesting to see how many years it takes to kill the oil palm which is its host.

December 4, 2011 – The massive tree features at the top of this page has unfortunately died. It was a sad part of an otherwise lovely visit to Chacala.