Curtain Fig Tree

This article is about the individual strangler fig tree. For the species commonly known as "curtain fig", see Ficus microcarpa.

Curtain Fig Tree

Creation of the Curtain Fig Tree

The Curtain Fig Tree is one of the largest trees in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, and one of the best known attractions on the Atherton Tableland. It is located just out of Yungaburra.

The Curtain Fig Tree is from the strangler fig species Ficus virens. Normally these figs germinate on top of another tree and try to make roots into the ground. Once this important step is done, the fig will grow vigorously, finally kill the hosting tree and then grow on independently. In this case the hosting tree tilted towards the next one, the fig also grows around that one. Its curtain of aerial roots drop 15 metres (49 feet) to the ground^[1].

Although these figs kill their hosts they are an epiphyte which basically feeds from the ground, unlike a parasitic plant which feeds from the sap of the host plant/tree.

References

1. ^ http://rainforest-australia.com/Curtain_Fig_Tree.htm

Coordinates: 17°17′9″S 145°34′25″E / 17.28583°S 145.57361°E / -17.28583; 145.57361