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Ficus macrophylla - Australian Banyan seedling growing on a Butia capitata - Jelly Palm Trunk


Ficus macrophylla - Australian Banyan seedling growing on a Butia capitata - Jelly Palm Trunk (Ficus macrophylla - Australian Banyan, Butia capitata - Jelly Palm)

This is a common sight here in San Diego...many Ficus species tend to grow out cracks in the freeways and in old palm leaf bases. Photo taken July 28, 2011.



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A little scary in some ways! Does that species ever turn into a strangler?

16 Aug, 2011

 

Tugbrethil:

I think it has the potential. However, it's not rainy enough like in Florida for the roots to reach the ground very fast.

16 Aug, 2011

 

Even if it does turn into a strangler, the palm should be ok. These figs strangle their hosts by surrounding the hosts trunk and preventing it from growing in diameter. Since a palm doesnt have a cambium layer, once it forms that part of the trunk, it doesnt and never needs to increase in size.

4 Oct, 2012

 

Most likely this plant will be removed...as these trees are in Balboa Park.

Ficus macrophylla is not considered a strangler fig. However, I would think most Ficus species can become stranglers under favorable, wet conditions.

5 Oct, 2012



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