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.
e
- Elliptic
Elliptical. Length more than twice the width, the margins rounded.
- Emarginate
Notched at apex.
- Endemic
Native; restricted to a certain place or region.
- Endosperm
Storage tissue surrounding embryo in a seed or achene.
- English Brown Turkey Fig Family
One of the family of fig varieties that are grouped into categories of similar characteristics. Sometimes called English Brown Turkey Type. This family is popular in the PNW.
- Entire
Margin not indented.
- Epidermis
The outermost layer of plant tissue, except where it is replaced by periderm.
- Epigenetics
The chemical modifications that regulate how, where, and when specific genes are turned on and off. These processes do not alter the DNA, itself. Environmental factors can play a critical role in these processes. Epigenetics, also called epigenomics, studies how certain epigenetic modifications may be passed on from one generation to the next. The collection of all epigenetic changes in a genome is called an epigenome.
See the article What is epigenetics? for a good overview.
- Epiphyte
A plant growing on, but not nourished by, another plant.
- Episperm
The hard, external coating of a seed; the testa.
- Equilateral
Equal-sided.
- Essfeige
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
- Everbearing
The characteristic of producing figs from the initial production season of a fig tree all the way up through dormancy.
- E. W. Maslin
Edwin Wesley Maslin was largely known by his initials, and for his life as a lawyer, politician, and miner, more than his contributions to the fig community. He did not write as much about figs as other well-known fig personalities. However, he is mentioned frequently throughout publications by other authors. A few fig varieties were named after him: Maslin No. 91, Maslin 150, Maslin Edible Variant, and Maslin.
- Eye
The apical orifice connecting the cavity of receptacle with exterior. It is the "eye" or opening to the syconium at the bottom of a fig, which is lined with involucral bracts. It is through this opening that the "fig wasp" is able to enter and exit for caprification. It can also be the means through which other harmful insects and water can spoil a fig, especially when the ostioles are larger.