Australia Photo ~
Strangler Fig engulfing its host
Photographed on the lower slopes of Wollumbin (Mt Warning NP)
I’ve also photographed another stunning example of a strangler fig at Natural Arch from which I’ve extracted and copied the below description:-
“Strangler figs start as an epiphyte, meaning a seed is in most cases bird deposited in a crevice high in a host tree. From here, the roots grow downwards to reach the soil, while the top grows up to reach the light above the dense rainforest canopy.
“As the strangler fig roots grow down, and over time thicken, they envelop and totally engulf the host tree with a lattice of roots ~ When the host tree dies and rots away, the columnar hollow structure of the strangler is left with a central void core.”
The strangler fig above was photographed at Wollumbin (Mt Warning), which is a volcanic plug at the centre of a caldera ~ The wonderful volcanic soil means this area is lush and verdant.
From Brisbane or the Gold Coast head inland to Natural Bridge, then go ‘over the top’ of the range from Queensland into NSW, and so enter the Tweed Valley to the west of Murwillumbah. Turn right up the valley and Wollumbin’s peak comes imposingly into view.
The lower slopes of Mt Warning are a rainforest lover’s delight 🙂
Ooooh, childhood memories Linda! *happy dance*
There’s a strangler in the Lamington National Park (Nerang hinterland) which I love! (Strange but true)
At night on the walk now to the natural arch to see the glow worms, someone would pop a torch into the gap so we could see the light shine out through the gaps from the strangler.
…doh! just got so excited seeing the tree and remembering the place that I missed your mention and link to the EXACT place!
This strangler fig was photographed in Wollumbin, Mt Warning, which is just over the border in northern NSW ~
I know the exact tree you’re talking about –
Think I may do a little post on Natural Arch (and this strangler fig that you talk of) as its such an amazing little pocket of rainforest only an hour and a half south of Brisbane 🙂
Terrific photo Linda.
Thanks Catherine ~
Its a beautiful area – Have more of this region coming up as its close to home and I love the sculptural quality of trees!
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