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Strangler Figs Defy Expectations in Sumatra
6 Oct
Summary
- 97% of strangler figs grew directly from the ground.
- This behavior is unusual for figs, which typically start on trees.
- Figs may aid forest recovery in damaged Indonesian peatlands.
In Sumatra's burned tropical peat swamp forests, scientists observed a surprising behavior in strangler figs. A February 2026 study in Ecology and Evolution revealed that 97 percent of the 138 recorded strangler figs germinated directly from the ground, a departure from their typical epiphyte origins on host trees.
This unconventional terrestrial establishment was documented across two fire-damaged sites on the Kampar Peninsula. The research suggests these figs, particularly the species Ficus sundaica, might be vital allies in the natural restoration of landscapes where active reforestation has met limited success. By supporting fruit-eating animals, strangler figs act as keystone species.
The study, led by Sidiq Purwanto and Douglas Sheil, highlights the adaptability of strangler figs in degraded peatlands. While this pattern was observed in burned, open peatlands, the authors note it may differ in other forest types, underscoring the potential for these trees to facilitate broader ecological recovery.
