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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- Receptacle
Flower-bearing organ. Specifically for figs, the entire outer enclosure or container of a fig, referred to as the syconium. Includes both the epidermis and "pith" of a fig. See the Anatomy Of A Fig page for more details.
- Receptacle
Botanical name of the fig receptacle. The pith and epidermis of a fig. It is the foundation and enclosure from which the individual flowers within the fig grow.
- Regalto
"Striped", Rigato, Regalto, Rimada. Variegated figs cannot be reproduced from seed. They are a very rare spontaneous mutation that occurs in nature once in a million plants. Then the variegated varieties can be cloned via cuttings.
Some variegated figs have very clear striping and are easily categorized. Others may have some light variegated characteristics that some may not wish to group into the variegated category. Striped varieties can "revert", that is, to lose their variegated mutation.
- Relative Humidity
Relative humidity (RH) refers to the moisture content (i.e., water vapor) of the atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of the amount of moisture that can be retained by the atmosphere (moisture-holding capacity) at a given temperature and pressure without condensation. If the relative humidity is 100 percent (i.e., dew point temperature and actual air temperature are the same), this does NOT necessarily mean that precipitation will occur. It simply means that the maximum amount of moisture is in the air at the particular temperature the air is at. Fog is essentially 100% humidity.
- Reniform
Kidney-shaped.
- Repand
With slightly uneven or undulating margin.
- Reticulate
Netted.
- Retuse
Broadly or shallowly notched.
- Revolute
Rolled backward from margin.
- RH
Relative humidity (RH) refers to the moisture content (i.e., water vapor) of the atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of the amount of moisture that can be retained by the atmosphere (moisture-holding capacity) at a given temperature and pressure without condensation. If the relative humidity is 100 percent (i.e., dew point temperature and actual air temperature are the same), this does NOT necessarily mean that precipitation will occur. It simply means that the maximum amount of moisture is in the air at the particular temperature the air is at. Fog is essentially 100% humidity.
- Rhomboid
Quadrangular, but with lateral angles oblique.
- Rigato
"Striped", Rigato, Regalto, Rimada. Variegated figs cannot be reproduced from seed. They are a very rare spontaneous mutation that occurs in nature once in a million plants. Then the variegated varieties can be cloned via cuttings.
Some variegated figs have very clear striping and are easily categorized. Others may have some light variegated characteristics that some may not wish to group into the variegated category. Striped varieties can "revert", that is, to lose their variegated mutation.
- Rimada
"Striped", Rigato, Regalto, Rimada. Variegated figs cannot be reproduced from seed. They are a very rare spontaneous mutation that occurs in nature once in a million plants. Then the variegated varieties can be cloned via cuttings.
Some variegated figs have very clear striping and are easily categorized. Others may have some light variegated characteristics that some may not wish to group into the variegated category. Striped varieties can "revert", that is, to lose their variegated mutation.
- RKN
Often abbreviated as "RKN", is a microscopic root parasite that can be a problem for figs and other plants, especially in southern sandy soil.
- Rocco
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.
- Root
Other than the obvious fact that fig trees have roots, rooting is a method of propagation that maintains the genetics of the mother tree. There are many rooting methods used among the fig community.
- Root-Knot Nematode
Often abbreviated as "RKN", is a microscopic root parasite that can be a problem for figs and other plants, especially in southern sandy soil.
- Root Stock
The fig tree onto which scions are grafted. Some varieties of figs have strong root structure and function by nature. While other fig varieties tend to be weak. Some varieties don't root easily for propagation, but graft well onto good root stock. Or space can be saved by grafting multiple varieties onto a single root stock (frankenfig).
- Rubiginous
Having the appearance or color of iron rust; rusty-looking.
- Rugose
Wrinkled.