strangler fig
noun
: any of several figs (such as Ficus aurea of the southeastern U.S.) that start as epiphytes but send down roots to the ground around the host tree
broadly
: any of various epiphytic vines or trees (such as Clusia rosea) of similar habit
Examples of strangler fig in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Silay City, in the province’s north, has the most significant collection, though nature has reclaimed many, with kudzu and strangler figs grabbing roof tiles and tearing down walls.
—
Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
Home to twisty strangler fig, satinleaf and pond apple trees, the woods are laced by the massive webs and body of the golden silk orbweaver spider, while zebra longwings, the state butterfly, flit about.
—John Oseid, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
In parts of Latin America, strangler figs are known as matapalos, or tree killers.
—Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The colonial buildings in honeydew and cantaloupe colors — surrounded by banyan trees, strangler figs, and jacaranda and set off by the bright primaries and pastels of the clothes of passersby — make for a delicious street scene.
—Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
The duo envisioned building a treehouse between an oak and a strangler fig tree in the front yard.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
For something more strenuous, Mo’orea’s Mount Tohivea offers a challenging hike shaded by a canopy of buttress trees and strangler figs.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Banyan trees, which give the house its name, are also called strangler figs.
—Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 4 July 2023
The climb is steep and my pace is slow, but Peter and Alais, a ranger who accompanies us, talk about Maasai life and point out pretty but poisonous berries, shy blue monkeys, and the strangler fig trees that the Maasai revere.
—Saumya Ancheri, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
Home to twisty strangler fig, satinleaf and pond apple trees, the woods are laced by the massive webs and body of the golden silk orbweaver spider, while zebra longwings, the state butterfly, flit about.
—John Oseid, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
In parts of Latin America, strangler figs are known as matapalos, or tree killers.
—Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The colonial buildings in honeydew and cantaloupe colors — surrounded by banyan trees, strangler figs, and jacaranda and set off by the bright primaries and pastels of the clothes of passersby — make for a delicious street scene.
—Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024
The duo envisioned building a treehouse between an oak and a strangler fig tree in the front yard.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
For something more strenuous, Mo’orea’s Mount Tohivea offers a challenging hike shaded by a canopy of buttress trees and strangler figs.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Banyan trees, which give the house its name, are also called strangler figs.
—Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 4 July 2023
The climb is steep and my pace is slow, but Peter and Alais, a ranger who accompanies us, talk about Maasai life and point out pretty but poisonous berries, shy blue monkeys, and the strangler fig trees that the Maasai revere.
—Saumya Ancheri, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Strangler fig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangler%20fig. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share