Strangler fig
The strangler fig is a frequent native in the southern half of Florida. This tree wraps around and grows up a host tree, eventually engulfing and killing the host. There are at least 10 species of Ficus in the state, only two of which are native. Ficus aurea is frequently found growing in the hammocks and borders of mangrove swamps in the central and southern peninsula of Florida. They bloom from spring to summer (Wunderlin, 2003). The strangler tree only occurs in FL (Kartesz, 1999).
The strangler fig can grow 50 feet tall. Its fruit start out golden yellow, turning red to purple.
