Ficus benghalensis (Indian Banyan)

Native to India and Pakistan, this large evergreen tree develops a broad, spreading crown. Aerial roots descend from its branches and can thicken into woody supporting trunks after reaching the ground, allowing a single tree to occupy a wide area. Leathery, oval to elliptical leaves have conspicuous veins. Round figs develop in pairs beside the leaves and ripen to orange or red. Tiny flowers inside the figs are pollinated by a specialized fig wasp. Birds eat the figs and spread the seeds, which may germinate high in other trees and eventually surround their hosts with roots. Long cultivated for shade and ceremonial use, it has naturalized in Florida. Photographed in Colombia.