Not rightfully choke the tree diagram upon which it first germinate , the strangler fig ( Ficus aurea ) simply use its " host " plant for support . As the dangling roots and straggle branches grow , the common fig overtakes the innkeeper and kills it by shading out lighter and robbing the soil of nutrient and soil . Strangler fig trees become large tropic tad trees with good resiliency to tropic windstorm . A large landscape is needed so the tight - grow tree diagram ’s branch and roots do not make crowding .
Nomenclature
The strangler fig ’s botanic name is Ficus aurea , a member of the mulberry family , Moraceae . Other coarse name include the Florida banyan , Florida throttler fig and the golden fig .
Nativity
Strangler fig is aboriginal to southernmost Florida and the islands of the Caribbean . It is normally associated with cheery chaparral - land hammocks filled with cabbage palms , which is the coinage of industrial plant a seedling strangler figure most often germinates upon and overtakes with roots and branches as it matures .
Description
mature to 50 or 60 feet tall and sometimes two to three times as all-encompassing , strangler fig is a large subtropical tree with smooth light brown bark . A young seedling start life as a sprout in the crotch of another tree diagram or in the palm frond bases , or iron boot , of medallion body . The ancestor brooch to the plant and as the strangler fig grows , it out - compete the supporting plant for light , soil moisture and food , eventuallychokin - art.html'>chokingit to decease . The common fig ’s folio are are dingy green and leathery and shaped like large ovals . It has tiny flowers twelvemonth around , but fruiting is heaviest after spring . The fortunate yellow figs are small , about 1/3 - in in diameter , sweet and juicy and are eaten readily by birds and mammals .
Growing Requirements
Strangler fig needs dozens of sun , ideally more than six to eight minute of sun day by day . Seeds can germinate in moist , arenaceous soil as well as in the nooks of enceinte Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree branches or bark . As long as winter temperatures do not drop much below 30 degree Fahrenheit , the common fig tree will grow quickly in the heat and summertime rains , growing great , buttress root word to tolerate its astray - spreading and heavy branches . It is tolerant of drought once established and not a young seedling , but look most lush and acquire quickest when soil is moist , warm and full-bodied in organic matter .
Hardiness
This Libyan Islamic Group species is winter hardy to USDA Hardiness zone 9 to 15 . It abide only light , periodic frosts as in the warmest areas of Zone 9 . It also is tolerant of hot and humid summertime climates .
