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DefiantStomp t1_ix5xugs wrote

They're often pollinated by "fig wasps". They burrow in and lay eggs inside. The eggs hatch and the babies breed and then the males burrow their way out to fall and die. The females follow that tunnel and fly away to another fig.

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soyarin t1_ix8hwbq wrote

Replying to Serious_Growth_7000 (#601,742)

The fig actually absorbs the wasps. The crunchy bits are just the seeds. On another note there are modified figs that don't require polination from wasps. I'm pretty sure the majority of figs in super markets are the "waspless" kind.

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Serious_Growth_7000 t1_ix9e3be wrote

Replying to soyarin (#601,788)

Of course I know. Was just pulling everybody's leg. The fig requires a very specific vigwasp, who only lives in tropical and subtropical climates. Every fig growing above/below this climate belt, is self pollinating.

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EquusReddit t1_ix9pm1d wrote

I think “inverted flower” can be misleading. It could be read like petals on the inside and carpels on the outside, or something like that. IMO, it could be more accurately described as an “inverted stem,” where the stem is enlarged and surrounds the flowers.

But the wasp thing is terrifying. Thanks for the nightmare fuel!

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