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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- Ob-
Prefix signifying lower side up.
- Obcordate
Inverted heart-shaped.
- Oblanceolate
Inversely lanceolate.
- Oblate
One of the fig form descriptors. Flattened at base or apex, or both. A “flattened ball” shape. Very “squat”. Wider than long. See the Fig Form Descriptions page for more information.
- Oblique
One of the fig form descriptors. “Lopsided” or “slanted”. Not a fig form by itself, but an attribute of the overall fig shape. See the Fig Form Descriptions page for more information.
Read More - Oblong
Two or three times longer than broad and with more or less parallel margins.
- Obtuse
Blunt or rounded.
- Organza Bag
A small nylon mesh bag, often used at weddings and parties to hold candies, nuts, etc. They come in various sizes from Amazon, eBay, and other sources. Used in the fig community to cover ripening figs to protect from insects and birds.
- Ortet
In common botanical terms, it is simply, "a young plant, especially one raised from seed and not from a cutting". However, among the fig community, the seedling (or "chance seedling") term carries the idea that a completely new fig variety, with its own unique genetics, is created when grown from seed. This applies to either natural selection (wild fig trees) or human breeding. Such fig varieties then deserve their own unique name. In botany, the actual term that may be more accurate is "ortet": the original plant from which the members of a clone have descended. In contrast, see Unknown.
- Ostiole
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.
- Oval
Broadly elliptic.
- Ovoid
One of the fig form descriptors, also called "egg-shaped", ovate. See the Fig Form Descriptions page for more information.