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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- Gamophyllous
Formed of united leaves.
- Gateway Fig
Sometimes called a Gateway Variety. It can refer to the fig fruit, itself. But usually refers to cuttings and or trees that have qualities that are good for beginners: widely available, common type, easy to root, cold hardy, inexpensive, and tasty. Some classic beginner varieties are Violette de Bordeaux and Chicago Hardy.
- Geminate
Twins. Side by side.
- Gene Hosey
Some fig varieties can be traced back to his collection and have either a GS (Gene Strain) or GH (Gene Hosey) suffix.
Read More - Genus
A taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, as well as viruses. In the eight hierarchical levels of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. In the case of edible figs, the genus is Ficus.
- Geocarpic
Fruits borne below the soil surface.
- Germplasm Resources Information Network
Acronym for the National Genetic Resources Program, part of the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
- Gibbous
Swollen on one side.
- Giorgio Grassi
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.
- Glabrate
Glabrescent. Slightly glabrous.
- Glabrous
Smooth, bald; not hairy.
- Glaucous
- of a dull grayish-green or blue color.
- covered with a powdery bloom like that on grapes.
- Globose
One of the fig form descriptors, also called "Round", "ball-shaped", "globular", or "globose". See the Fig Form Descriptions page for more information.
- Glutinous
Sticky, slimy, or glutinous.
- Gorgi M
Gorgi had a very large collection of figs from Malta as well as other varieties. His trees were initially identified with GM and a numbered suffix (e.g., GM-125). Later, some of his varieties were given more common names. For example, GM-172 was given the name Gozo Girl.
- Grafting
An alternative method of propagation to rooting cuttings. Instead, a cutting (scion) is attached to an established "root stock". Once the graft is healed and a healthy vascular system (the xylem and phloem) is established, the new grafted branch will have all of the genetics of its original "mother tree". Grafting is often used to propagate varieties which tend to have weak root systems on "root stock" that is known to have strong root systems. Some varieties tend to be weak rooters, but will graft more easily. There is also the ability to build a "frakenfig" tree, with multiple varieties, growing on a single root stock trunk.
- Grafting Tape
A brand name of grafting tape. "Buddy Tape" is another name brand. It is often used among fig growers as a generic term for any kind of grafting tape. In addition to grafting, is often used to wrap the exposed portion of a fig scion, above the rooting medium, to keep it from drying out.
- Green
The color "green" is often in the name of fig varieties and can be translated from:
- Catalan: Verd
- French: Verte (feminine); Vert (masculine)
- Greek: Prásinos
- Italian: Verde
- Portuguese: Verde
- Spanish: Verde
- Turkish: Yeşil
- Green Cutting
A pervasive, but not entirely accurate term used within the fig community that refers to a soft, non-woody, or non-lignified cutting. Cuttings may actually be green, yet well-lignified. More accurate terms may be: Soft Cutting, Non-lignified Cutting, or Non-woody Cutting.
- GRIN
Acronym for the National Genetic Resources Program, part of the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
- Growing Degree Days
Growing Degree Days (GDD) are used to estimate the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season. The idea has been applied to various fig varieties. The basic concept is that development will only occur if the temperature exceeds some minimum development threshold, or base temperature (TBASE).
- 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.