One could argue what the largest creature is on our planet. Some might think of whales, others probably of the Sequoias in the Western United States. Although I was very impressed (beyond words) when I encountered the latter, some Ficus trees in the tropics are probably even more impressive. Not in height: most of them only reach about 20 meters or so. Not in stem diameter, because they often don't even reach 1.5 meters diameter. But the way they grow is very impressive. Their branches form airial roots, which act as new stems, sending branches into the world, forming airial roots, et cetera.

I've seen some very impressive specimens in Taiwan in 2004, and since I'm scanning my slides from my trip there, I want to disturb you with some pictures I made of these creatures. It makes you feel small. Remember: the stems you see are really airial roots, forming branches again, so what you see is one specimen. Shot with the P30n and the Takumar-A 28-80mm (not the best equipement, I know, but at that time it was all I had...)

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[daacon]

Wow now those look they are from another planet. At night under a full moon that would be one scary place. Nice series.

[Jewelltrail]

Cool for sure--looks like it could set a scene in the Wizard of Oz to me.

[drmartin]

Rense, you surprised me -is it roots of one tree? I got it right?

[Rense]

Wow now those look they are from another planet. At night under a full moon that would be one scary place. Nice series.

Thank you Dave! They are great, aren't they?

Cool for sure--looks like it could set a scene in the Wizard of Oz to me.

Thanks Jewelltrail!

Rense, you surprised me -is it roots of one tree? I got it right?

Yes drmartin, this is a woodland/forest, formed by one tree only!

[gawan]

Very interesting! I saw one of these giants in India in the 80's - they said it was one of largest in the world! You cannot take a picture of the whole plant except from air high!

[Rense]

Yes, they are big!