urostigma

Urostigma is a subgenus of figs belonging to the genus Ficus. These figs are characterized by their late or indehiscent syconia, which means the fruit does not split open upon ripening. This feature distinguishes them from other subgenera within Ficus. The name urostigma itself comes from Greek roots, "uro" referring to tail and "stigma" to the stigma, hinting at some aspect of their reproductive morphology.

Species within Urostigma are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. They often exhibit aerial root development and can grow into large, canopy-forming trees. Many species are hemiepiphytic, meaning they start life as epiphytes on other trees before sending roots down to the ground. The syconia of urostigma species are typically pollinated by specific fig wasps, a classic example of mutualistic co-evolution in plants. The development of the syconium is crucial for the survival of both the fig and its pollinator. Some well-known examples of figs within this subgenus include species commonly referred to as strangler figs due to their epiphytic habit and eventual engulfment of their host tree.