Scientific name: Ficus benjamina

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 58.85 N, 64° 49′ 48.03″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Florida Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea)

1. Leaf Behavior
Ficus aurea is typically evergreen in tropical climates like St. Croix, but may be briefly semi-deciduous in drought or stress conditions.

• Leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical, with a shiny, dark green upper surface and lighter underside.
• New leaves emerge in a flush of light green or reddish-bronze, often in response to rainfall.

Observation Tips:

• Watch for young leaf flushes, especially in March–May and after heavy rains.
• Note any temporary leaf thinning during very dry months (e.g., February).

2. Flowering (Syconia Development)
As with all figs, the flowers are hidden inside the fig fruit (called a syconium), which acts as both flower and fruit.

• Fig development may occur multiple times per year, without a strict season, depending on rainfall and tree maturity.
• The tree has a mutualistic relationship with its specific fig wasp pollinator, which enters the syconium to pollinate internal flowers.

Observation Tips:

• Observe the appearance of small green figs directly on twigs or leaf axils.
• Mature figs turn yellow or reddish, often attracting birds and bats.
• Flowering and fruiting cycles can overlap and occur multiple times per year.

3. Fruiting
Figs are small (1–2 cm), round to pear-shaped, turning from green to yellow or red when ripe.

• Fruit production is abundant and staggered, often seen year-round, with peaks following rainy periods.
• Ripe figs are a major food source for birds, bats, and insects, making the tree a keystone species.

Observation Tips:

• Track fruit abundance, ripening, and drop throughout the year.
• Record wildlife visitation, especially during heavy fruiting periods.

4. Growth Habit
Starts life as an epiphyte on a host tree or structure. Over time, it sends down aerial roots that reach the ground, thicken, and eventually strangle and replace the host.

• Mature trees can reach 50–60 feet tall, with a wide, dense canopy and massive trunk formed by coalescing roots.
• Strongly associated with moist habitats, ruins, or older trees, but can grow in a variety of locations.

5. Seasonal Pattern (St. Croix)

• Jan–Mar: Occasional leaf thinning; sporadic fig formation
• Apr–Aug: New leaf flushes, fig development and ripening
• Sep–Dec: Steady foliage; occasional fig crops depending on rainfall