The Ficus Religiosa (Peepal tree) has minute, unisexual flowers that are not directly visible but are housed within a fleshy, hollow structure called a syconium, which is the fig-like fruit. Inside the syconium are numerous tiny flowers, including male flowers, gall flowers, and female flowers, all of which are minute and sessile or pedicellate (have a short stalk). The flowers are enclosed by bracts and are primarily adapted for pollination by fig wasps.

Detailed Flower Information

Location: The flowers are enclosed within the syconium (fruit).

Types: There are three types of flowers within the syconium: male, gall, and female.

Male Flowers: These are few, sessile (without a stalk), and have a short filament and a calyx (outer floral leaves).

Gall Flowers: These are much more numerous than fertile flowers and often lack a perianth (a complete set of floral leaves). They are pedicellate.

Female Flowers: These are sessile and have a globose ovary and a narrow stigma.

Pollination: Ficus Religiosa is pollinated by specialized fig wasps, which enter the syconium to lay their eggs and carry out pollination.

Appearance: The flowers themselves are not showy or brightly colored; their structures are tiny and enclosed within the protective receptacle of the syconium.