Ficus from the family Moraceae, the Latin for fig tree, if ever there were a tree of life this would be it. A variety of fig species are native to the tropics but also span to the temperate zone, occupying an assortment of ecological niches. An ancient genus, fig trees have been a life force to a diversity of creatures and cultures.
Historically, fig trees have been recognised as sacred organisms, having appeared in many religions and cultures such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. It is documented that Buddha meditated beneath a fig tree before finding enlightenment, Adam and eve are famously depicted as covering themselves with the leaves of the fig having eaten the forbidden fruit and many cultures have worshipped the fig as a spiritual entity and a sign of fertility.
But why has the fig tree been remembered and valued so much throughout our culture? The answer it seems is simply, because it is remarkable. Traditionally people have wondered in awe at the capabilities of the fig and in days when science was unable to explain its extraordinary nature, many cultures explained it through religion and worship. Today we have a much greater understanding of the ecological and symbiotic relationships of the fig, although biologists are still being astonished by new discoveries in its interesting biology.
The co-evolution and symbiotic relationship between fig trees and fig wasps has long been a subject of scientific wonder. Some studies suggest a co-divergence of the mutualism over the last 60 million years. The mutualism between fig wasps and their host figs is intricate and complex and has fascinated many. In simplistic terms- female wasps burrow into the figs through a natural opening in which they oviposite their eggs. Through doing this they inadvertently brush past male flowers on the outside of the fig. Once developed wingless males mate with females in the fig, using their specialised burrowing physiology to dig a hole out of the fig. Females move through the opening whist brushing through the female flowers on the inside of the fruit and fly to a new fruit to deposit their eggs thus beginning the cycle again. The stability of this mutualism over such a long period of time is of great interest, considering the large number wasp species that in fact parasitize figs. It appears that the fig wasp mutualism only evolved once, yet the constant hybridisation of fig species has allowed for the continuous evolution of pollinator wasp species.
Ficus is one of the largest genera of land plants with 750 species of figs worldwide, and is often considered a keystone species, providing food and shelter to a variety of fauna. From monkeys to bats, birds to caterpillars, the Fig is a life source that many organisms rely on and constantly confounds us with intrigue and awe. So pay homage to the humble fig, whose intricate relationships with nature and its ability to provide for a diversity of life has woven itself into our history. As our ancestors were in awe of this complex organism so too has it captivated the imaginations of scientists today.
