Strangler fig trees also called Banyan trees, begin life as an epiphyte. They can grow to be 148 feet tall. These trees are the most important for animal survival in the rainforest because they bear fruit all year round and constantly have a supply of food for animals to eat. This Strangler Fig starts growing in the creases of other trees and quickly strangles it host tree and takes over. This aggressive growth pattern insures its survival. It has many adaptations for survival. They have waxy leaves to protect them against dry winds and dehydration from constant sunlight. And has the ability to root it’s self on and in other trees to begin life do to the poor soil and low sunlight at the forest floor that it is not able to grow in. The genus and species name for this tree is Ficus ssp.