The Strangler Fig is a tall canopy, widely buttressed tree which grows to 45m in height. The top of this tree spreads like an umbrella. It features light coloured bark. In the rainforest the strangler fig germinates only in the branches of a host tree from the seed deposited by birds. Many roots are sent down and they gradually envelope and strangle the host tree leaving the fig in its place. There are five species of strangler fig represented in the Park.
Leaves:Leaves are simple, large, glossy green above and paler below. Commonly betwwen 4 and 7cm in length.
Flowers: The flowers are on the inside of the fruit and are pollinated by a wasp which enters the fruit through a small hole before the fleshy part of the fruit develops.
Fruit: Fruit is large (about 3cm with a nipple on the end) decorative and tasty which means that it is relished by birds. The fig is dark purple when ripe with yellowish dots, fleshy and ovular. They are a most important food tree for birds
Held at Vic Park in Camperdown / Broadway Sydney!
