“Look at the roots of that tree!” a child exclaimed, his voice echoing through the Jardim Botânico José do Canto. He was pointing at the sprawling roots of the magnificent Árvore-da-Borracha-Australiana. It was unlike any tree most visitors had ever seen. Native to Australia, the Árvore-da-Borracha-Australiana, or Ficus macrophylla, is a type of strangler fig. The tree begins its life high up on a host tree, its seeds deposited by birds or bats. As the Árvore-da-Borracha-Australiana grows, it sends down roots towards the ground. These roots thicken, eventually encasing and often killing the host tree in a somewhat macabre embrace. The Árvore-da-Borracha-Australiana here in the garden is over 160 years old. It’s listed in a document from 1856 that details the plantings in José do Canto’s garden. Imagine, this tree was already mature when José do Canto was writing about his beloved plants. Take a moment to admire its massive, leathery leaves. They are truly enormous, some reaching over 25 centimeters long, which explains its species name, macrophylla, meaning “large leaf.” The Árvore-da-Borracha-Australiana is a survivor, a testament to the power of adaptation and the beauty of the natural world.
Adventure Park Pinhal da Paiã
Ready to unleash your inner Tarzan? At Adventure Park Pinhal da Paiã adventure awaits. Inaugurated in August 2011 this park