Ficus racemosa L.

A medium to large deciduous to semi-evergreen tree with a crooked trunk and a broad, spreading crown. Unlike the banyan (Ficus benghalensis), it does not produce aerial roots. Its most distinctive feature is the clusters of round figs borne directly on the trunk and older branches, a phenomenon known as cauliflory. The tiny flowers remain enclosed inside a fleshy structure called a syconium and are pollinated by specialized fig wasps, which enter through a small opening to lay their eggs. This unique mutualistic relationship is essential for the reproduction of both the fig tree and the wasps. The fruits turn from green to red or reddish-purple when ripe and serve as an important food source for birds, bats, monkeys, and other wildlife.
PC: Sonu Kumar & Ravi saini