Fig Glossary
Terminology, Abbreviations & Acronyms
In any particular field of study, there is a specific terminology (vocabulary) associated with it. Figs are no different. These terms can be a bit daunting for “newbies”. Some fig terms are even obscure to seasoned fig veterans. This glossary is designed to be a powerful resource for understanding terminology that is unique to the fig community.
Note: Use the search function to quickly go directly to your term or to find synonyms for the primary list.
g
- Gustav Eisen
Gustav Eisen was the Ira J. Condit of his day. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Smyrna fig in California. Gustav wrote a number of articles on figs, and an extensive book, The Fig: Its History, Culture, Curing. His interests extended well beyond just figs.
h
- Hardy Chicago Fig Family
One of the family of fig varieties that are grouped into categories of similar characteristics. Sometimes called Mt Etna Type, and some prefer to use the Hardy Chicago variety name in place of Mt Etna. The Mt Etna, or Hardy Chicago, Family of figs is one of the most discussed within the fig community. It's cold hardiness, good flavor, ease of rooting and growth, and high availability make it suitable for just about any fig lover.
- Hastate
Base with a pair of lobes.
- Head Start
Any method of waking up fig trees from dormancy early in order to assist them in producing figs sooner. This is especially helpful for later-producing fig varieties in shorter growing season climates. Various methods may include the fig shuffle, green houses, sun rooms, and root warming.
- Heirloom
With the increasing popularity of figs, there are now also an increasing number of new, "hot" fig varieties. Sometimes these new, unproven, and possibly smyrna fig type varieties can fetch hundreds, or even over a thousand dollars. Classic varieties have withstood the test of time. They have proven to be solid fig varieties that can be obtained for much lower prices than the latest craze of fig varieties. An heirloom fig variety has been passed down through generations of fig growers through clonal propagation. Some suggest a variety must be at least 50 years old to hold this title, others, longer.
- Herman2
Herman2 was his screen name on figs4fun. Hermansur is his eBay name. Some fig variety "strains" are attributed to him and include the VS suffix, (e.g. Marseilles Black VS, Vasilika Sika VS, CdD Grise VS).
- Heterophylly
Having two unlike forms, usually in the case of leaves; heterophylly. For example, in the case of fig leaves, varieties have a "typical" leaf pattern, but can produce leaves with different quantities of lobes and shapes.
- Higo
An edible fig, usually Ficus carica, but can be of other species. "Fig" is often in variety names, in other languages:
- Arabic: Teen
- Catalan: Fig; plural: Figues
- Chinese: wu hua guo
- French: Figue; plural: Figues
- German: Feige; Essfeige
- Greek: Sýko; (or Siko) plural: Sýka (or Sika)
- Hebrew: Te'enah; plural: Tnm
- India (Hindi): Anjir
- Italian: Fica (feminine); Fico (masculine)
- Portuguese: Figo; plural: Figos
- Spanish: Higo; plural: Higos
- Turkish: Incir
- Hilam
Scar at place of attachment of seed.
- Hirsute
Hairy, with long, firm hairs.
- Hispid
With stiff or rigid hairs.
- Honey
Honey is a flavor sometimes associated with some fig varieties and/or a term used for the nectar within a fig, which can ooze from the ostiole. Some varieties include “honey” in their names and can be translated from:
- Hydathodes
Small pits or spots on the upper leaf surface.
- Hypogynous
Flower parts inserted under the pistil or along the margin.
i
- Incir
An edible fig, usually Ficus carica, but can be of other species. "Fig" is often in variety names, in other languages:
- Arabic: Teen
- Catalan: Fig; plural: Figues
- Chinese: wu hua guo
- French: Figue; plural: Figues
- German: Feige; Essfeige
- Greek: Sýko; (or Siko) plural: Sýka (or Sika)
- Hebrew: Te'enah; plural: Tnm
- India (Hindi): Anjir
- Italian: Fica (feminine); Fico (masculine)
- Portuguese: Figo; plural: Figos
- Spanish: Higo; plural: Higos
- Turkish: Incir
- Indehiscent
Not opening.
- Inequilateral
Sides of unequal lengths. Not symmetrical or equilateral.
- Inflorescence
The complete collective flower heads (before becoming fruit) within the fig, including pedicels, ovaries, and styles. Essentially, what makes up the "pulp" of the fig, before it is ripe. For the ripe stage, see Infructescence. See the Anatomy of a Fig page.
- Infructescence
The complete collective fruit heads (after the flower stage) within the fig, including pedicels, ovaries, and styles. Essentially, what makes up the "pulp" of the fig, after it is ripe. For the flower stage, see Inflorescence.
- Internode
Portion of stem between joints.
- Involucral
A group of one or more whorls of bracts beneath a flower or flower cluster, or in the case of figs, around the "eye".
- Involucre
A whorl or set of bracts around a bud, flower or ostiole of a fig.
- Ira J. Condit
Ira Judson Condit (1883–1981) was an American horticulturist who studied subtropical fruits, including the fig, the olive, and the avocado. His contributions to the fig community were extensive. In addition to his exhaustive fig research, testing, and breeding, he wrote a number of books on figs, including: The Kadota Fig, Fig Characteristics Useful in the Identification of Varieties, Fig Culture in California, The Fig, Caprifigs and Caprification, and the comprehensive tome, Fig Varieties: A Monograph.
- Italian Numbered Figs
Giorgio Grassi is the original source for what has come to be known as the Italian Numbered Figs collection. He collected Italian fig varieties throughout Italy and were introduced to the US by Todd Kennedy.
j
- Joe Morle
Giuseppe "Joe" Morle of the now defunct figtrees.net. Some fig varieties can be traced back to him and have the JM suffix.
- John Rock
John Rock is rarely mentioned within the fig community, but his contribution of the numerous fig varieties he established in California was extremely significant.
- Jon Verdick
Though Jon is not nearly as active in the fig community as he once was, his valuable contributions continue as the founder of the Figs4Fun Foundation. Jon's interests extend beyond figs. He is the owner of Encanto Farms Nursery and We Be Bananas. He was known by the handle, pitangadiego, on the old Figs4Fun forum.
k
- Kadota Fig Family
One of the family of fig varieties that are grouped into categories of similar characteristics. Sometimes called Kadota Type, and some use Dottato in place of Kadota. This practically seedless honey fig is grown commercially in California for canned figs.
- Keith Karausky
Keith is a notable fig collector in the fig community. Some varieties can be traced back to him and often contain the KK suffix. His strain of Black Madeira (KK) is considered by some to be a superior strain of Black Madeira (UCD).
l
- Laciniate
Deeply cut or incised into narrow segments.
- Lamina
Blade or expanded part of leaf.
- Lanceolate
Much longer than broad.
- Latex
Essentially, fig sap. Often identified as the milky substance that leaks from the stem of a picked fig, indicating that it was picked too soon. Latex can be caustic to some, who have a natural allergy or intolerance. Or irritation can be acquired by frequent exposure. The UV of the sun can acerbate the irritation of latex on the skin. Latex can be difficult to remove via normal detergents. I've found orange oil is most effective for removing fig sap. See the Britannica article on Latex.
- Lenticals
Corky spots on twigs. On Ficus carica, these frequently encircle each node, and are often sites for the development of roots.
- Liana
Woody climber.
- Lignification
In the simplest of terms, to convert into wood or woody tissue.
- Linear
Very narrow.
- Lobe
A division of an organ such as a leaf; generally rounded.
- Local
Native; restricted to a certain place or region.
- Longue d'Aout Fig Family
One of the family of fig varieties that are grouped into categories of similar characteristics. Sometimes called Longue d'Aout Type. LdA produces large, early, melon-berry flavored figs and is fairly cold hardy.
- LSU Fig Collection
Louisiana State University: In the context of figs, this refers specifically to the LSU AgCenter fig-breeding program.
- Lusus
The change in the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes.
In botany, a sport or bud sport, traditionally called lusus, is a part of a plant that shows morphological differences from the rest of the plant. Sports may differ by foliage shape or color, flowers, fruit, or branch structure. The cause is generally thought to be a chance genetic mutation.
Wikipedia "Sport" Article - Lyrate
Lyre-shaped, upper part broad.
m
- Main Crop
Often called the "main crop" or "summer crop", is the primary crop of figs that ripen from about mid-summer through early fall, as opposed to the earlier breba crop. Typically, the main crop is often of higher quality than the breba crop.
- Mamme Crop
The first or winter caprifig crop, maturing in California in early April.
Read More - Mammoni Crop
The third caprifig crop, maturing in late summer in California.
- Marcottage
Propagation by wrapping moss around branches still attached to tree. Often referred to within the fig community as "air layering".
- Mark Albert
Known for his comments on the Italian Numbered Varieties.
- Mávros
The color "black" or "dark" is often in the name of fig varieties and can be translated from:
- Catalan: Negre
- French: Noire (feminine); Noir (masculine)
- Greek: Mávros
- Italian: Nero
- Portuguese: preta (feminine); preto (masculine)
- Spanish: negra (feminine); negro (masculine)
- Turkish: siyah
- Mel
Honey is a flavor sometimes associated with some fig varieties and/or a term used for the nectar within a fig, which can ooze from the ostiole. Some varieties include “honey” in their names and can be translated from:
- Catalan: Mel
- French: Miel
- Greek: Méli
- Hebrew: Dvsh
- Italian: Miele
- Portuguese: Mel
- Spanish: Miel
- Turkish: Bal