HAUILI (Ficus septica) - A very prolific fig.

Have you ever wondered what kind of tree this is growing within cracks of cemented structures or deserted and unmaintained areas? It is a fig tree! Although it is not the type of strangler fig such as the Balete tree that envelops it's host tree until such a time when the host tree cannot sustain itself due to insufficient light and nourishment. This is the type which grows as a small tree without the aerial roots typical in other species of fig trees.

It is locally called Hauili or Ficus septica, which belongs to the family MORACEAE. It is one of the easiest genus to propagate from stem cuttings and seeds dispersal such as bird excrement, provided that fertile seeds have been developed and pollinated by wasps which cater specifically for this type of tree. It is one of the most prolific species that I have observed and is widely distributed throughout the country, especially within Manila (capital of the Philippines).

Inset photos were taken earlier this day from within our property and our neighbor's planter, which obviously have been neglected, leaving the young Hauili tree to develop.