Syconus

Syconus is a composite fruit formed from a hollow fleshy inflorescence stalk inside which tiny flowers develop. The female flowers produce small drupes, the `pips. Example: Fig (Ficus carica).

Syconus fruits are the type of multiple fruits developed from the hypanthium, a type of inflorescence. The Dorstenia and Ficus are the main examples of Syconus fruit. 

They are usually enlarged fleshy hollow receptacles with multiple ovaries within the inside surface. These types of fruits are considered multiple and accessory fruits because they consist of a fleshy stem with multiple flowers. 

Hypanthium Inflorescence:

The receptacle of this type of inflorescence becomes spherical, resembling a hollow sphere (syconium) with a cavity inside, and is generated by the fusing of the rachis of three cymes nearby. These spherical receptacles resemble a closed fleshy vessel with a little aperture at the apex that allows access to the outside.

The inner surface of the receptacle produces numerous little sessile blooms. The cymose groupings have three types of unisexual blooms grouped on the inside surface of the receptacle. Male, sterile female and fertile female flowers are the three types. 

Hypanthium Flowers: 

Flask-shaped fleshy receptacles with thin canals and a terminal pore visible on one end. The pore may be bordered with scales, while the canal is lined with downward-pointing hair. Male flowers grow closer to the pore on the inside of the receptacles, whereas female flowers grow closer to the base.

Flowers that are indifferent, sterile or gall can be found in both categories. These three types of flower-bearing axes come together to produce an inflorescence. 

Details of the Syconus Fruit:

The urn-shaped receptacle of this fruit type, depending on the species, contains approximately 50 to 700 simplified florets on the inner side. To form a receptacle, the bracts grow and curve. On the union of the outer bracts, an opening is formed by interlocking known as ostiole. The basal, lateral and peduncular bracts also form on the syconia. 

This fruit can be of both types – dioecious and monoecious. In the monoecious plant, on the same plants, female flowers and very few male flowers are present. While in the dioecious condition, both male and female flowers are present on the different plants producing pollen and seeds. The pollination, in such fruits, is done by the wasps which enter through a pollinator-specific ostiole enclosure. After pollination, the individual florets of the Syconus develop into either achenes or drupes. The seeds are contained within the endocarp of this type of fruit.

Habitat and Distribution: 

Generally found in semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, also in the plains of countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South China New Guinea and Queensland. Found along the banks of rivers and inland forests from plains to 1500m.

While in India found in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.  

Development of Syconus: 

The initial growth of bracts, which curve to form a receptacle, is the first step in the formation of the syconium. When the outer bracts touch, they interlock to produce the ostiole. Lateral, basal, or peduncular bracts can also appear on Syconia. The form of the ostiole and the morphology of the pollination wasp have a connection.

About Ficia Caria Plant

1. Habit: A small deciduous tree 30m high with aerial roots.
2. Leaves: Large, serrate, deeply lobed, cordate, 3-5 nerved, rough.
3. Inflorescence: Hypanthodium, receptacles, basal bracts 3-5, reddish-purple when ripe.
4. Flowers: Male flowers sepals 3, stamen 1. Female flowers sessile, ovary superior, style short, sepals 3, stigma club-shaped.
5. Fruit: Syconus red, globose.
6. Flowering and Fruiting Time: November-January
7. Significance:

• Cultivated for its edible fruits.
• Fig latex is used as an anthelmintic. 
• Have emollient, demulcent, laxative, nutritive properties.
• Fresh and dried fruits are used for constipation.

Trees of the fruit have few short aerial roots. Branchlets and figs white-pilose. The petiole is glandular at basal nerve axils. The roots are used in medicinal preparations. 

Astringent qualities are found in fruits and leaves, and they are used to cure a variety of diseases. Dispersal of the seed occurs by birds and animals. Birds and other animals that eat the fruits can transfer seeds through their digestive tracts because of their digestive system.

Conclusion

Syconus fruits are composite fruit that is formed from a hollow fleshy inflorescence stem that is hollow and fleshy on the inside. It is possible to watch the formation of small flowers within this framework. ‘Pips’ or little drupes are produced by the female flowers. This fruit grows from the inflorescence of the hypanthium plant. Syconus fruits include the Dorstenia and Ficus trees.