Story of Fig Tree and Fig Wasp

This is a White leaf fig (Ficus grossularioides).

Although fig trees are called 无花果 in chinese, (literally means no flower fruit), they do have flowers that are enclosed in the fig.

All figs have 4 prominent features.
1. Sap.
2. Prominent bud.
3. Triangular vein on the underside of the leaf.
4. Scars on the stem of the plant.

Fig trees have a symbiotic relationship with the fig wasps. Fig wasps are the only pollinators of the fig trees. The female fig wasp will drill its way through the fig, passing through the mouth of the fig which is covered with male flowers. Then, she will deposit her eggs in the cavity which is covered with female flowers. While depositing her eggs, she will also deposit some of the pollen that she was carrying. This helps to fertilize the flowers in the figs. However, as the hole is very small, the female wasp will usually lose its wings and die inside the fig after laying her eggs.

As the fig develops, the wasp eggs hatch and develop into larvae. After going through the pupal stage, the mature male will mate with a female, then it will dig its way out of the fig, creating a tunnel for the females to go through. The males usually sacrifice themselves and distract the preys around the figs to ensure that the females can continue the life cycle successfully.