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.
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- Falcate
Sickle-shaped.
- Fall Crop
The second main crop of figs that occurs in autumn. Sometimes called "second main crop", "fall crop", or "autumn crop".
- Fascicle
A close bundle or cluster.
- Feige
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
- Fica
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
- Fico
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
- Ficus
The genus that includes over 800 species and are commonly referred to as fig trees. The majority of edible fig varieties will fall under the carica species. However, some will fall under palmata, sycomorus, and others.
- Ficus: the exotic species
Ficus: the exotic species by Ira J. Condit, published in 1969, is an excellent resource for fig species other than carica.
- Fig
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
- Fig Bump
Above the intersection of a leaf stem and the branch, two "bumps" will often form. One is a new lateral branch. The other is the beginning of a fig, called a "fig bump".
- Fig Cavity
A void within the fig. Some varieties of figs are prone to cavities and can lead to faster spoiling if the void is open through the eye.
- Fig Collection
Fig varieties are sometimes grouped by collections. Many collections are derived from a particular nursery or collector. Others then begin collecting varieties from those collections. Some examples are: Belleclaire Nursery, Figues du Monde, Giorgio Grassi Fig Collection, Gorgi M, LSU, Pierre Baud, Planet Fig, Pomona Gardens, and Prusch Park. Another collectable group of figs are the Variegated.
- Fig Cutting
A small branch taken from a fig tree used to propagate a new fig tree with the identical genetics of the "mother tree". "Acceptable" fig cuttings are at least 6 inches long and about the width of a #2 pencil, or thicker, with at least 3 nodes. Ideal cuttings are about the thickness of a "Sharpie" marker, or larger.
- Fig Families
Grouping fig varieties into “Families” has a few benefits. It is a way of putting fig varieties into categories of similar characteristics. This can be helpful when a collector wishes to diversify into different varieties with various qualities. Or just the opposite, a collector may prefer varieties with similar characteristics.
Note: Though the term "type", instead of family, is often used in connection with fig family names (e.g. Mt Etna type), Fig Types are a technically different classification of figs. Most veterans understand this in context, but can be confusing to newbies.
- Fig Form
One of the characteristics of figs for variety identification. "Fig shape" can also determine the ability of a fig variety to withstand rain.
The form of the fig fruit, like the color, is affected by climatic conditions, by the presence or absence of fertile seeds, and by vigor of growth. Although there is considerable variation in fruit on the same tree and during the same season, forms of fresh figs are fairly characteristic of the variety. Form is commonly associated with the presence or absence of a neck.
Ira J. Condit, The Fig, page 60 (digital page 78). - Fig Leaf Characteristics
Identifying the characteristics of fig leaves may help to identify particular varieties: Lobes, 3-Lobed, 5-lobed, Finger Lobes, Sinuses, Spade, Serration, etc.
- Figlet
A fig that is quite young, typically pea-sized, up through just before its first growth spurt.
- Fig Mosaic Virus
Often referred to by its acronym, FMV, or sometimes FMD (Fig Mosaic Disease). Fig Mosaic Virus is a common problem with fig trees that can stunt growth and productivity, but many trees overcome the virus with maturity.
- Figo
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
- Fig Pop
A rooting method that uses bags in place of cups or plant containers. Ben B. may have been the first to introduce this idea in How to Root Figs 1: The "Fig Pop" Method 2018. You can see examples of my fig pops:
- Fig Pulp
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.
- Figs4Fun
A foundation, established by Jon Verdick, dedicated to the public awareness, knowledge, and adoption of edible figs through collecting, preserving, researching, and distributing the many varieties of Ficus carica. The goal is to establish a Preservation Orchard, open to the public, for more than 1000 varieties of figs. It includes an informative fig website that includes a "database" of varieties. It also use to include the now defunct forum.
- Fig Sap
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.
- FigsArt byNikky
FigsArt byNikky. Nicolò Parrino, who posts many beautiful images on Facebook of the varieties he has collected. Some claim that his images are too doctored and that the figs produced do not look like his images. And many of the varieties he claims are common drop figs.
- Fig Shuffle
The process of moving potted fig trees to a protected environment (in house, garage, green house, etc) at the end of the growing season and back outdoors in the spring. Often done in colder climates to protect less hardy fig trees and/or to give fig trees a head start in the spring.
- Figs of The World
A french web site, meaning Figs of The World. It is maintained by Thierry Demarquest, who has long been known as a fig collector in Europe, and now in the US. His collection, nursery, and orchard touts over 600 varieties from around the globe.
- Fig Type
Or just "type". Fig varieties are categorized into four main types: Common, Smyrna, San Pedro, and Caprifig. Also, often used to refer to fig "families". This can lead to some confusion over the strict meaning of "type" in regard to figs.
- Figue
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
- Figues du Monde
A french web site, meaning Figs of The World. It is maintained by Thierry Demarquest, who has long been known as a fig collector in Europe, and now in the US. His collection, nursery, and orchard touts over 600 varieties from around the globe.
- Fig Varieties: A Monograph
Fig Varieties: A Monograph by Ira J. Condit. Published in Hilgardia, A Journal of Agricultural Science Published by the California Agricultural Experiment Station, Vol 23, No 11, February, 1955. It was the most comprehensive resource for fig varieties at the time and is still an excellent encyclopedia on Ficus carica varieties.
- Fig Wasp
The technical name for what is often called the "fig wasp". The fig wasp is instrumental to the natural caprification process of figs. See What Is The Fig Wasp (Blastophaga Psenes)?, Fig Wasp on Wikipedia, Fig Pollination and Fig Wasp Life Cycle (Blastophaga psenes) - All you need to know (YouTube)
- Fimbriate
Having a fringe or border of hairlike or fingerlike projections.
- First Caprifig Crop
The first or winter caprifig crop, maturing in California in early April.
Read More - Flacid
Soft; weak; limp.
- Floccose
Flocculent. Tufted with long, soft hairs.
- FMV
Often referred to by its acronym, FMV, or sometimes FMD (Fig Mosaic Disease). Fig Mosaic Virus is a common problem with fig trees that can stunt growth and productivity, but many trees overcome the virus with maturity.
- Francesco Lorusso
A fig collector from Andria, Italy, that promotes many of his varieties on his Facebook page and website. Olga (dragonking1959) is the biggest promoter of his varieties in the US. While many of his varieties have been highly rated by those living in wasp territory, others without the wasp have been frustrated with many of the varieties that Francesco and Olga claim to be of the common fig type being droppers. In addition, Lorusso keeps changing the names of his varieties, creating much confusion. Descriptions have also changed significantly.
- Frankenfig
A fig tree, with multiple varieties grafted onto to it.
- Fruit
Though, the fig, itself, is not technically a fruit, but a casing (the syconium or receptacle) that encloses dozens or hundreds of tiny fruits called "pips", drupes, or drupelets.
- Fruit
Plural, achenes. A dry, indehiscent, one-seeded fruit. Though figs are often referred to as fruits, they are actually containers for the dozens or hundreds of individual tiny fruits or "pips" contained within a single fig. Each achene contains a single seed, surrounded by a hard ovary wall.
- Fruit Seeker
Vladimiro is known for his Italian website, Fruit Seeker, but Google translates it quite well. His interests are broader than just figs, but he has a nice little collection of fig varieties. His European perspective on figs is helpful to those of us in the US. Some of his varieties or strains may have Rocco or VR as suffixes.
- Fugacious
Soon falling off or perishing.
- Fulvous
Tawny. Reddish-brown.
- Fungus Gnat
Small, dark, short-lived gnats. The larvae of most species feed on fungi growing within and on top of the soil, helping in the decomposition of organic matter. However some species are predatory, and can be harmful to newly-formed weak roots of fig cuttings. Though not normally harmful to established, healthy fig trees, fungus gnats can be a real nuisance if allowed to get out of control indoors.
- Fungus Gnats
Small, dark, short-lived gnats. The larvae of most species feed on fungi growing within and on top of the soil, helping in the decomposition of organic matter. However some species are predatory, and can be harmful to newly-formed weak roots of fig cuttings. Though not normally harmful to established, healthy fig trees, fungus gnats can be a real nuisance if allowed to get out of control indoors.
- Fuscous
Deep gray-brown.