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The scene looks like some horror movie. Actually, it is happening in the Amazon. /VCG Photo
In the misty, dense jungle, silent murderers wait with their ropes and nooses at hand, ready to take lives. While this may sound like a scene from a movie, it happens every day in tropical rainforests like the Amazon.
In the dense forest, the competition for light is intense. /VCG Photo
In order to get sunlight, some plants develop a method of "strangling." They survive by strangle and kill other trees. /VCG Photo
These killer plants, including some banyans and vines, are called strangler figs. In dense forests, they have to compete with other plants for limited sunlight. Rather than growing taller as many other trees do, strangler figs "cheat" in this competition.
The root of a strangler fig will not reach the soil for a long time. The strangler plant spend the first part of its life as a "parasite." /VCG Photo
Roots trying to strangle its host. /VCG Photo
The seed of a strangler fig germinates on top of other tree, then grows roots downward to envelop the host tree. At same time, the strangler fig itself grows upward to reach above the canopy. The wicked method is proved to be effective: the strangler fig can usually get more light by standing on the head of, and frequently killing, its competitor.
The strangler fig is usually the winner of this fight of survival. The original support tree can sometimes die, so that the strangler fig becomes a "columnar tree" with a hollow central core. /VCG Photo
About 'Plants & Nations'
"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide to beautiful plants from different countries.
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)