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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- 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.