Strangler fig
Strangler fig is the common name for a number of tropical and subtropical plant species in the genus Ficus, including those that are commonly known as banyans. == Species == Some of the more well-known species are: Ficus altissima – southern China and tropical Asia Ficus aurea – Florida, the Caribbean and Central America Ficus benghalensis – Indian subcontinent Ficus benjamina – tropical and subtropical Asia to northern Australia Ficus burtt-davyi – southeastern Africa Ficus citrifolia – Florida and tropical America Ficus craterostoma – tropical and southern Africa Ficus henneana – northern and eastern Australia Ficus macrophylla – eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island Ficus microcarpa - southeast Asia to Australia Ficus obliqua – Maluku Islands, Papuasia, northern Australia and southwestern Pacific Ficus tinctoria – Indian subcontinent and southern China to northern Australia and southwestern Pacific Ficus virens – tropical and subtropical Asia to northern Australia and western Pacific Ficus watkinsiana – eastern Australia These all share a common "strangling" growth habit that is found in many tropical forest species.