The strangler fig seed usually germinates somewhere in the canopy branches left there by a passing bird. Then it shoots down a single root along the trunk to the ground in order to find more water and nutrients. Once it establishes the connection with ground it shoots next roots which plait the host trunk and after some time it deprives it minerals and light. The host tree starts to languish and die. After years of decay, the trunk gradually vanishes and the strangler fig leaves this characteristic empty space. It serves as a shelter fore many animals.