Yu Hui, Zhao Nan-Xian, Chen Yi-Zhu, Deng Yuan, Yao Jin-Yan, Ye Hua-Gu. BOTANICAL STUDIES. 2006, 47(4): 435-441

ABSTRACT: Ficus spp. (Moraceae) and their pollinator wasps (Chalcidoidae: Agaonidae) have co-evolved a highly mutualistic relationship, and depend completely on each other for reproductive success. Here, we present data on syconia, seed and pollinator production of the dioecious fig Ficus hirta Vahly, which were gathered to investigate the phenology and sexual specialization of individual trees. Syconia were produced asynchronously within trees, and there were sufficient degrees of both synchrony and asynchrony among trees to maintain pollinator production throughout the year. Production of receptive syconia and mature male syconia peaked at the same time to facilitate both pollination and pollinator production. The duration of crop development in female trees was longer than that in male trees, and the mean interval between syconia production was also longer in female trees. The mean diameter and total number of female syconia in receptive and ripe phase were lower, but the proportion of female flowers utilized in them was higher than that in male syconia. Syconium production was not correlated with the height of either female or male trees. The number of syconia produced was significantly correlated with the amount of branches on female trees but not on males.