syconia

A syconium (plural syconia) is a specialized type of inflorescence found in many figs, especially those in the genus Ficus within the Moraceae. It is a hollow, fleshy structure formed by a short, thickened stalk with a single opening at the top, called the ostiole. The outer surface bears this ostiole and surrounding bracts, while the interior cavity is lined with numerous tiny flowers arranged on the inner wall. The flowers are often unisexual, and the arrangement inside the syconium is such that fertilization and fruit development occur within a closed space. When mature, the syconium becomes a fig fruit, which is edible in many species.

A distinctive feature of syconia is their relationship with certain wasps. Many fig species depend on obligate mutualism with fig wasps (family Agaonidae) for pollination. Female wasps enter the syconium through the ostiole, where they lay eggs in some flowers and simultaneously pollinate others. After development, male wasps mate, and female wasps collect pollen to continue the cycle by entering other syconia. Fertilized flowers inside develop into seeds, contributing to the edible fig fruit. Not all syconia require pollination by wasps; some cultivars produce fruit parthenocarpically or rely on human-assisted pollination or other pollination strategies.

Ecologically, syconia and their wasp partners support complex mutualisms and can be a keystone resource in some ecosystems. Economically, many figs are cultivated for consumption, making the syconium an important botanical and agricultural structure.