Ficus macrophylla - Australian Banyan seedling growing on a Butia capitata - Jelly Palm Trunk

A little scary in some ways! Does that species ever turn into a strangler?

Tugbrethil:

I think it has the potential. However, it's not rainy enough like in Florida for the roots to reach the ground very fast.

Even if it does turn into a strangler, the palm should be ok. These figs strangle their hosts by surrounding the hosts trunk and preventing it from growing in diameter. Since a palm doesnt have a cambium layer, once it forms that part of the trunk, it doesnt and never needs to increase in size.

Most likely this plant will be removed...as these trees are in Balboa Park.

Ficus macrophylla is not considered a strangler fig. However, I would think most Ficus species can become stranglers under favorable, wet conditions.