Cluster Figs are native to Australia, South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent. 

Their fruit is eaten wherever the tree grows and they have an important place in both Buddhist and Hindu history and culture. 

The fruit of this particular fig tree was used in ancient times as a travelling food however it has many resident fig wasps - for vegetarians this can create ethical dilemmas so the fruit is often broken open and dried in the sun for a while prior to being eaten. 

It is also the reason that Cluster Figs are not often sold commercially. 

The Cluster Fig, or Ficus racemosa is unusual in that its fruit grow on or close to the trunk of the tree.  

Like all fig fruit these are an enclosed inflorescence that is lined on the inside by tiny flowers. 

Fig trees have a unique pollination system involving highly specific wasps that enter an opening at one end of the fruit to lay their eggs. 

The fig wasp is itself a fairly unusual animal. 

Fig wasps and their host species are a great example of co-evolution that has been developing over possibly the last 80 million years. 

The male fig wasp is usually wingless and spends his entire life inside the fig. 

His only task is to fertilise the female wasp and chew a hole in the fig to allow her to escape. 

The tiny winged female can have an adult lifespan of only 48 hours but in some species has been seen to fly up to 160km downwind in this time.

Keep an eye out for this beautiful fig while you are walking along tracks and trails near lowland rivers. 

They are a great place to sit quietly and spot some of the many fruit eating birds in our region.

For related stories: 

> Connect To Country - Carnivorous plants

> Connect To Country - Walks

> Connect To Country - Burton's Legless Lizard

> Connect To Country - Be Prepared

> Connect To Country - Insects