Natalie Ann
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Strangler Figs begin as vines
Did you know that the Strangler Fig tree begins as a vine?
The vine climbs and completely envelops the tree, then slowly strangles it by compressing the cambium (growing layer under the bark) vascular system.
The victim decays and the fig perists in tree form.
Here's a couple of my pix of a Strangler Fig.
How's 'bout some of you drag out/post your photos of this amazing plant.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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another...
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Osprey
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Canyon San Dionysius
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Mexitron
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If those are pics from Baja, technically the trees are not strangler figs, although many figs can "strangle" a host tree. The figs in Baja are either
Ficus palmeri or another similar species which escapes my brain right now with the common names "Baja Rock Fig".
Another example of a strangling type fig is Ficus repens--that little cute "Creeping Fig Vine" you buy at Home Depot--after it swallows your house or
fence its foliage will switch to a large adult type and begin transforming into a mature Fig Tree.
In mainland Mex I've seen figs that grow from seed dropped by birds in the tops of palm trees--it grows its roots down the trunk and once rooted
begins the transformation into a tree which eventually strangles the palm.
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Gadget
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mexitron
If those are pics from Baja, technically the trees are not strangler figs, although many figs can "strangle" a host tree. The figs in Baja are either
Ficus palmeri or another similar species which escapes my brain right now with the common names "Baja Rock Fig".
Another example of a strangling type fig is Ficus repens--that little cute "Creeping Fig Vine" you buy at Home Depot--after it swallows your house or
fence its foliage will switch to a large adult type and begin transforming into a mature Fig Tree.
In mainland Mex I've seen figs that grow from seed dropped by birds in the tops of palm trees--it grows its roots down the trunk and once rooted
begins the transformation into a tree which eventually strangles the palm. |
They make beautiful post for porches and palapas. There is a house north of Todos Santos I would so much like to buy that has them on the huge front
veranda. They have a coat or 2 of clear varnish on them and are just spectacular.
I found a picture of it to post
[Edited on 4-6-2008 by Gadget]
"Mankind will not be judged by their faults, but by the direction of their lives." Leo Giovinetti
See you in Baja
http://www.LocosMocos.com
Gadget |
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Natalie Ann
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Yes, Mexitron, my pix are from the arroyo in San Bartolo.
And I'd always been told they were strangler figs. So much for my sources.
Palmeri, huh? I'll have to look that up and learn a bit more before I go talking trees on this board.
Nena
(Edit: We could still see more pictures of this tree... )
[Edited on 4-6-2008 by Natalie Ann]
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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Gadget - I've seen those before, could never put my finger on just what kind of tree that was. Interesting. I think they're the big supports at the
Gigglin' Marlin in Bahia Muertos - oh pardon me, Bahia de los Suenos.
Your right, they are beautiful when stained and polished and used architecturally.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Mexitron
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Those patio supports are beautiful...didn't know fig wood wood last like that.
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Osprey
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I've heard the species of ficus shown growing in the above pix are true Columbus trees. They are centuries older than the cardon which many people say
grow hundreds of years but I think the ficus is much, much older. Maybe some plant aficianados will give us the facts.
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Mexitron
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Here's more info on Strangler Figs with a blurb on Baja's figs at the end...
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ploct99.htm
...the other Baja Rock Fig is Ficus brandeegii.
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Bob and jane
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Mexitron, thanks so much for that link!! The wild figs in the Sierra Gigantes have fascinated me for many years. I have lots of photos (but I'm too
lazy to shrink and share this morning). I learned so much about them from this thread. I'll be looking at them in a new way from now on.
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losfrailes
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There are several homes at Punta Chivato just south of Santa Rosalia that have used these 'trees' as internal uprights, both for their structure and
for their beauty.
Beautiful work when cleaned and varnished
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Osprey
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Wikapedia says one ficus still alive today was planted in 288 BC so it's not a Columbus tree but a whole lot older.
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