Thursday, September 15, 2011

Wild fig tree

It is not difficult to find a fig tree in Singapore. The fig tree is the most important tree in the rain forest. Providing fruits all year round, figs are essential to the survival of many animals in the tropical rain forest.

Figs bear fruit like structures called the syconium on their stems and branches. Inside them contain the male and female flowers of the plant.

Although commonly referred to as a fruit, the fig as eaten is actually the infructescence of the tree, known as a false fruit or multiple fruit, in which the flowers and seeds are borne. The flower is not visible, it blooms inside the fruit. A very specialized wasp, the fig wasp, enter the fruit through the small opening end.and pollinate the flower, where after the fruit grows seeds. The flowers also attract ants  The ants go in searching of the sweetness offered, packing up pollen on their feet. This is brought to the next fruit. ...
 ...the close up photo
I have seen this beautiful red on the tree in Seng Kang park last year, wondering if it belongs to fig family...

Appreciate your information, and more nature note from  Rambling Woods.
and I am link the last two close up photos to
Weekend soon, cheers!

4 comments:

Rambling Woods said...

I can't help on the ID, but I really enjoy all the information..thank you for posting to Nature Notes...Michelle

Singapoare Plants Lover said...

I think the last photo is not fig tree, it is coffee tree

Karmeleon said...

It is not Coffee Tree. It is the Indian Prune Tree. The same trees are at Botanic Gardens between Ecolake & Jacob Ballas Garden) - many of them, including the Indian Red Dates Trees. The trees there are all "labelled".

Unknown said...

https://floraofsingapore.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/flacourtia-inermis/

Perhaps the last tree is a Batoko plum.