2018-12-08:
Strangler fig

The strangler fig is a rain forest plant, which has developed a special strategy to survive and spread: When birds put its seed at the top of other trees, the fig just starts growing there, where it already has access to sunlight. It then grows its roots down to the ground, and while doing so, envelops its host tree. Sometimes, it will fully enclose the host tree with its leaves and roots, so the host dies. But at this point, the strangler fig has developed a stable structure, and can survive on its own.