The genus contain some 800 species world wide and grow in many different forms, including tree, shrub, vine, and so on. There is a vast number of reference materials in the literature about the plants' ecology and biology. I study the feeding ecology of birds on the figs, as well as the feeding patterns of birds on other fruits in Hong Kong.
Figs have special inflorence called 'syconium' within which it houses flowers.
The wasps lay eggs in the ovaries of the gall flowers which in turn pollinate the long styled flowers, which ovaries will become seeds. These creatures then form an obligate mutualitic relationship. Different species have different phenology as well. Therefore, in terms of population, figs can provide a year-round fruit source for frugivory birds. This is even more important when other fruit sources are in short.