Ficus sansibarica

Botanical Description

Ficus sansibarica is a tree usually growing up to 20 metres tall but exceptionally to 40 metres. The plant often begins life as an epiphyte, growing in the branch of another tree; as it grows older it sends down aerial roots which, when they reach the ground quickly form roots and become much thicker and more vigorous. They supply nutrients to the fig, allowing it to grow faster than the host tree. The aerial roots gradually encircle the host tree, preventing its main trunk from expanding, whilst at the same time the foliage smothers the foliage of the host. Eventually the host dies, leaving the fig to carry on growing without competition[ 308 Title Flora Zambesiaca Publication Author Website http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and material for basket making. It is planted in villages for amenity and to provide shade[ 364 Title Field Guide to the Moist Forest Trees of Tanzania. Publication Author Lovett J.C.; Ruffo C.K.; Gereau R.E.; Taplin J.R.D Website http://www.york.ac.uk/res/celp/webpages/projects/ecology/tree%20guide/introduction.htm Publisher Frontier Year 0 ISBN 1-873070-33-0 Description A lovely little book giving a basic identification guide to more than 650 species of trees growing in Tanzania. It is also available to view on the internet. ].