The Department of Recreation PLEASE PROTECT ME and Parks maintains and pro- tects hundreds of heritage trees. CAPE I am a very rare specimen tree in Heritage trees are individual your area. Even though I may trees of any size or species that look indestructible, I am a very FIG are specifically designated as fragile tree. In order to ensure heritage because of their histori- my survival, please protect me by HERITAGE TREE cal, commemorative, or horti- following these suggestions: cultural significance. Preserving 1. Do not injure my trunk with these treasures is important for any object or write graffiti. future generations to admire. 2. Keep the lawn away from my For further information, please trunk. contact the Department of Rec- reation and Parks at the address 3. Keep all machines and weed below. whips away.

4. Do not pull or hang from my branches “Ouch!! It Hurts”.

5. Do not over water me.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES 6. I will respond well to a good DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS General Manager nutrient supply with an even Manuel A. Mollinedo NPK balance and supple- Forestry Division mented trace elements. 3900 W. Chevy Chase Drive Barrington Los Angeles, CA 90039 Recreation Center 333 S. Barrington Ave 7. Do not dump hot charcoal Los Angeles, CA 90049 Phone: 213-485-4826 ashes around the trunk base. Fax: 213-847-0820 Website: www.laparks.org Tel: (310) 476-4860 FLOWER FRUIT CAPE FIG In comparison to other plants, my flowers are incon- After pollination, the fig begins to grow and span spicuous. I produce both male and female flowers in a producing a fleshy fruit. Even though some of my Ficus capensis special hollow, pear-shaped inflorescence called seeds are scarified by the wasps, many other survive “Syconia”. Many peo- and they become the Hello!!! Let me introduce myself... Botanists ple refer to this inflores- next generation of trees. call me Ficus capensis, but you can refer to me cence as a “FIG”. The I produce my fruit in a as the CAPE FIG. You may have overlooked fig has an ‘OSTIOLE’, single or branched ra- my presence in the past but I am here to inform or small opening at its ceme. A very interest- tip, which is the site of ing characteristic is that entrance by a tiny sting the raceme of fruits are less wasp called the fig wasp. I share a unique rela- produced along the tionship with this particular wasp that serves as my trunk and the main only pollinator. The fig wasp can only achieve growth braches. The word and development inside my flowers. A female wasp “Cauliflory” is used to carrying a load of pollen and looking for a place to lay describe this phenome- its eggs, will seek out and find non not commonly found in other plants. By pro- the flowers inside the fig. ducing the fruits along the trunk and large branches, I allow easy access to the fruit by climbing animals. When the female wasp locates Furthermore, the branches also serve as a perching the flowers, she will then lay you of what a unique, interesting, and several eggs. The wasp will fascinating tree I am. I am native to tropical also induce the creation of a Africa and the Cape Islands. While you were gall or tumor around the area enjoying your picnic, I was providing shade to where the eggs were laid. protect you from the heat and the intense sun After laying its eggs, the wasp rays. Although you may find other fig trees planted throughout you neighborhood, I am the will then deliberately pollinate only tree of my each flower. The pollen will kind that is planted cause the development and

in this area. For expansion of my seeds. When www.thai.to/bird/wings/ www.batcon.org/batsmag/v9n4-3.html www.gu.edu.au/ins/collections/webb/ that reason, it is the larva of the wasp emerges, ehonbill19.htm html/7-1.html very important that they will begin to feed on the cell from the tumor and I be protected from on the developing seeds. When the wasps reach adult- place for flying animals. Although my fruit is not any kind of harm. hood, and the female is once again fertilized, she will edible to humans, many animals, including bats and I was planted lorikeets, enjoy dining on the ripe fruit. Many ani- several years ago to provide beauty and shade collect a load of pollen and will emerge out from the mals would rather carry the fruit away and eat it at a for the public who visit this park. Please feel fig. Once outside of the inflorescence, she will search safer spot. By carrying the fruit away, animals are free to come over and visit me anytime. Inform for another tree from the same species and the pollina- very important to me in dispersing the seeds that I your family and friends of my presence so that tion cycle will start once again. they can also admire my splendor and beauty. produce.