Fig is a hypanthodium. By definition, hypanthodium refers to inflorescence with enlarged receptacle enclosing flowers inside and with a small opening. Fig is an unique feature of genus Ficus, and the fig fruits that we eat are from species Ficus carica.
Figs require specific pollinators, fig wasps, to pollinate them. Though fig is an universal feature of genus Ficus, each species requires its own wasp species to pollinate it.
What's the advantage of hypanthodium inflorescence over other more 'normal' inflorescences? Wouldn't it be more easy for the Ficus sp. be pollinated if it has 'normal flowers'?
Reference
1. Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium. (2020). Inflorescence: Type: Hypanthodium. Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, CUHK. Retrieved from http://syhuherbarium.sls.cuhk.edu.hk/collections/inflorescence/inflorescence_type_hypanthodium/
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Fig wasp. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/fig-wasp
Figs require specific pollinators, fig wasps, to pollinate them. Though fig is an universal feature of genus Ficus, each species requires its own wasp species to pollinate it.
What's the advantage of hypanthodium inflorescence over other more 'normal' inflorescences? Wouldn't it be more easy for the Ficus sp. be pollinated if it has 'normal flowers'?
Reference
1. Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium. (2020). Inflorescence: Type: Hypanthodium. Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, CUHK. Retrieved from http://syhuherbarium.sls.cuhk.edu.hk/collections/inflorescence/inflorescence_type_hypanthodium/
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Fig wasp. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/fig-wasp