Young Strangler Fig

Description:

"Strangler Fig" is a name given to several species of trees and vines which all share a strangling behavior. They will latch onto another tree and begin climbing and entwining themselves around the host tree. The roots will grow downward, also entangling around the tree. It may take many years, but they can eventually strangle and kill the original tree which may then rot away leaving the Strangler Fig Shell to continue growing as a hollow column. Usually though, both trees continue to grow together.

Habitat:

Heavy shrubbery along the highway between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 11.5, 865 meters.

Notes:

See this cool shot from the inside up of an empty Stranger Fig "Shell" by Dan: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/599...