The Strangler Fig, a tree that lives at another's expense<\/h2>\n![\"strangling](\"https:\/\/morphocostarica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Holguin_tree.jpg\")
Copyright Wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTo better understand the \"strangulation\" phenomenon of ficus, we need to talk about its roots.<\/p>\n
The strangler fig is a hemiepiphytic tree, meaning it can live epiphytically (growing on a medium other than soil) for part of its life cycle.<\/p>\n
Let's explain the process in a little more detail.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nFig tree growth<\/h3>\n
A seed is eaten by a bird<\/strong>. It emits an excrement and this falls on a high branch<\/strong>.<\/p>\nThis seed will give rise to leaves which, like most other plants, will collect light rays in order to carry out the process of growth. photosynthesis<\/strong>. And so-called aerial roots. These go, by gravity, grow towards the ground<\/strong>. Once the soil has been reached, the plant can feed on its nutrients.<\/p>\nVisit aerial root<\/strong> will then, still anchored in the area where it first touched the ground, grow by gradually sticking to the trunk of the tree on which the seed was deposited.<\/p>\nOnce the host trunk is reached, a veritable network of roots adheres to the trunk. These roots then grow in thickness until they touch each other.<\/p>\n
The roots thus \"glued\" together will, in some cases, fuse and weld together to form a larger root.<\/p>\n
The fig tree thus becomes a self-supporting tree<\/strong> and no longer needs the support on which it grew to sustain itself.<\/p>\nOn the other hand, the branches and leaves of the Strangler Fig will grow to the top<\/strong>. Strangler figs have very dense foliage. They will therefore try to outgrow the top of the host tree. There will then be competition for light. The strangler fig's ample foliage will prevent the host tree from capturing enough light to survive.<\/p>\nIn this way, the host tree, \"strangled\", without sufficient light for photosynthesis and without the possibility of growth due to the trellis formed by the strangling fig tree, will gradually die and rot in its hollow. All that will remain are the outer aerial roots and the gaping space between them.<\/p>\n
Some hollows are so large that it's possible to climb to the top of the strangler fig tree from the inside.<\/p>\n
These cavities and root systems form micro biotopes for numerous species. It is estimated that around 45.<\/p>\n![\"Fig](\"https:\/\/morphocostarica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/640px-Ficus_aurea_Florida_strangler_fig_1_28027939079.jpg\")
Copyright Wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFig tree growth in brief<\/h3>\n\n- Seed dispersal by an external agent (birds, bats, etc.).<\/li>\n
- Epiphytic development of leaves and aerial roots.<\/li>\n
- The aerial roots touch the ground.<\/li>\n
- The roots grow around the support, forming a lattice.<\/li>\n
- The branches and leaves take over from the leaves of the support tree.<\/li>\n
- Little by little, the host tree rots.<\/li>\n
- All that remains is the strangler fig tree, with a void in its center left by the decomposed host tree.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
A unique mode of reproduction<\/h2>\n![\"fig](\"https:\/\/morphocostarica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Fig_Ficus_carica_fruit_halved-214x300.jpg\")
Copyright Wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFirst of all, you should know that we only consumea single variety<\/strong> fig among the 750+ species of fig trees on the planet. We eat figs from the common fig tree.<\/p>\nThe fig is not a fruit; it is in fact a structure called a Siconum<\/strong> which contains the flowers of the fig tree. There are hundreds per fig. The fig tree can't rely on the wind to pollinate its flowers. This is where the wasp plays a vital role.<\/p>\nThis peculiarity leads to very specific and unique reproduction. In order to reproduce, fig trees have developed a mutualistic relationship with wasps<\/strong> (mostly from the Agaonidae<\/strong>) of millimetric size. This mutualistic relationship is so important that neither the fig tree nor the wasp can reproduce separately.<\/p>\nHow does the fig tree reproduce?<\/h2>\n
As we've seen, figs are not fruits, but inverted inflorescences containing hundreds of flowers.<\/p>\n
Biologist Luciano Palmieri Rocha has established a 7-phase reproductive cycle.<\/p>\n
Phase A:<\/strong> The female flowers are not yet mature. They gradually ripen and become ready to be fertilized. The figs are then receptive to wasps<\/strong> for pollination, and figs emit large quantities of volatile compounds that are attractive to wasps. Phase B begins.<\/p>\nPhase B:<\/strong> The female wasp must pass through a small hole, theostiole<\/strong>to access the fig flowers.<\/p>\nThis hole is so small that the female will lose her wings and antennae<\/strong> into the fig. The female wasp will then be unable to leave the fig. The wasp will die after laying its eggs.<\/p>\nThe wasp's eggs can be laid in many different flowers. By allowing the wasp to lay its eggs in its flowers, the wasp will pollinate other flowers. The flowers in which the eggs have been laid will harden and form structures known as \"galls\".<\/p>\n
To better understand the \"strangulation\" phenomenon of ficus, we need to talk about its roots.<\/p>\n
The strangler fig is a hemiepiphytic tree, meaning it can live epiphytically (growing on a medium other than soil) for part of its life cycle.<\/p>\n
Let's explain the process in a little more detail.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nFig tree growth<\/h3>\n
A seed is eaten by a bird<\/strong>. It emits an excrement and this falls on a high branch<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This seed will give rise to leaves which, like most other plants, will collect light rays in order to carry out the process of growth. photosynthesis<\/strong>. And so-called aerial roots. These go, by gravity, grow towards the ground<\/strong>. Once the soil has been reached, the plant can feed on its nutrients.<\/p>\n Visit aerial root<\/strong> will then, still anchored in the area where it first touched the ground, grow by gradually sticking to the trunk of the tree on which the seed was deposited.<\/p>\n Once the host trunk is reached, a veritable network of roots adheres to the trunk. These roots then grow in thickness until they touch each other.<\/p>\n The roots thus \"glued\" together will, in some cases, fuse and weld together to form a larger root.<\/p>\n The fig tree thus becomes a self-supporting tree<\/strong> and no longer needs the support on which it grew to sustain itself.<\/p>\n On the other hand, the branches and leaves of the Strangler Fig will grow to the top<\/strong>. Strangler figs have very dense foliage. They will therefore try to outgrow the top of the host tree. There will then be competition for light. The strangler fig's ample foliage will prevent the host tree from capturing enough light to survive.<\/p>\n In this way, the host tree, \"strangled\", without sufficient light for photosynthesis and without the possibility of growth due to the trellis formed by the strangling fig tree, will gradually die and rot in its hollow. All that will remain are the outer aerial roots and the gaping space between them.<\/p>\n Some hollows are so large that it's possible to climb to the top of the strangler fig tree from the inside.<\/p>\n These cavities and root systems form micro biotopes for numerous species. It is estimated that around 45.<\/p>\n First of all, you should know that we only consumea single variety<\/strong> fig among the 750+ species of fig trees on the planet. We eat figs from the common fig tree.<\/p>\n The fig is not a fruit; it is in fact a structure called a Siconum<\/strong> which contains the flowers of the fig tree. There are hundreds per fig. The fig tree can't rely on the wind to pollinate its flowers. This is where the wasp plays a vital role.<\/p>\n This peculiarity leads to very specific and unique reproduction. In order to reproduce, fig trees have developed a mutualistic relationship with wasps<\/strong> (mostly from the Agaonidae<\/strong>) of millimetric size. This mutualistic relationship is so important that neither the fig tree nor the wasp can reproduce separately.<\/p>\n As we've seen, figs are not fruits, but inverted inflorescences containing hundreds of flowers.<\/p>\n Biologist Luciano Palmieri Rocha has established a 7-phase reproductive cycle.<\/p>\n Phase A:<\/strong> The female flowers are not yet mature. They gradually ripen and become ready to be fertilized. The figs are then receptive to wasps<\/strong> for pollination, and figs emit large quantities of volatile compounds that are attractive to wasps. Phase B begins.<\/p>\n Phase B:<\/strong> The female wasp must pass through a small hole, theostiole<\/strong>to access the fig flowers.<\/p>\n This hole is so small that the female will lose her wings and antennae<\/strong> into the fig. The female wasp will then be unable to leave the fig. The wasp will die after laying its eggs.<\/p>\n The wasp's eggs can be laid in many different flowers. By allowing the wasp to lay its eggs in its flowers, the wasp will pollinate other flowers. The flowers in which the eggs have been laid will harden and form structures known as \"galls\".<\/p>\nFig tree growth in brief<\/h3>\n
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A unique mode of reproduction<\/h2>\n
How does the fig tree reproduce?<\/h2>\n
![\"fig](\"https:\/\/morphocostarica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/800px-Anandabodhi2.jpg\")