What Are 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.
The idea was started on the now defunct Figs4Fun forum in the Families of Similar Figs thread. Most, if not all (depending upon the terminology one chooses to use), of the family names were derived from a popular variety that exemplified the characteristics of the family.
Families should not be construed as being a group of synonyms for the same variety. However, a family may include varieties with different names, but actually be synonyms. And families may also include clearly different varieties, but have similar characteristics.
Some varieties do not clearly fit into a particular family. Sometimes there is some overlap. And determining which family a particular fig variety can be assigned may be somewhat subjective. But it can still be a useful tool for the fig community. Some varieties are “outliers”. They have such unique characteristics, that they are in a family all their own, or have so many divergent characteristics, that it is difficult to pigeon-hole them into a particular family.
It can be difficult to really get the sense of a family by just reading about it or even seeing pictures and videos. Flavor and texture can be crucial factors in identifying families.
Current List of Families
- Kadota (AKA Dottato)
- Longue d’Aout
- Mt Etna (AKA Hardy Chicago)
- Sal’s Corleone (AKA Columbaro Nero)
- Violette de Bordeaux
- White Marseilles
