Are strangler figs a parasite

Strangler figs are not parasites in the traditional sense, but they do exhibit a form of parasitism known as hemiparasitism. They start life as epiphytes, growing on other trees, and eventually send roots down to the ground, encasing and often killing the host tree as they mature. While they derive nutrients from the host, strangler figs can also photosynthesize, allowing them to survive independently once established. Thus, they have a complex relationship with their host that can be detrimental but is not purely parasitic.