Fig vulgaris (fig tree)

Fig vulgaris (fig tree)

Appearance: Shrub or small tree growing up more or less 8 m in height, shedding leaves for the winter. Crown in older specimens usually very wide and spreading, at the same time, however, strikingly low and generally quite irregular. Branches move away from the gnarled, often twisted or bent trunk already at a slight height. They are very massive and often twisted or arched.

Smooth bark, light grey to lead grey, covered with indistinct, darker pattern of line or mesh. Shoots quite thick and stiff, dark gray-greenish, furrowed, dotted with strikingly thick and wide leaf scars. Donuts also thick. Side buds slightly more massive than slender apical buds.

Very large leaves, length more or less 20-30 cm and almost as wide, twisted-leg, quite strong and leathery stiff. They are divided into three to five flaps of uneven size, which are rounded, blunt and indistinctly serrated. Leaves on top dark green, roughly pubescent and only slightly shiny, lighter and slightly denser from the bottom, but softly pubescent – almost exclusively on prominent whitish nerves. Petiole quite thick, about the length 5-8 cm, with a wide socket.

Flowers very small and inconspicuous, enclosed in a characteristic, green organ the shape of a pear or jug, which leaves open at the top, small entrance for pollinating insects.

Fig (fruit) can also develop without pollination and fertilization. Figs ripen in the autumn of the second year as green, purple-green or blackish pseudo-fruits. Occurrence; The common fig probably comes from Southwest Asia, however, it is possible, it was also found wild on the Balkan Peninsula and in southern Spain. Since antiquity, it has been cultivated almost everywhere in the Mediterranean area. In regions with a mild winter, the fig also manages far beyond its natural range. Magnificent figs can be found, for example, on danish islands in the Baltic Sea, as well as in southern England.

Flowering period: From March to Iipca.

General thoughts: In terms of flower structure and fruit development, fig is one of the most interesting woody plants. There are various varieties and breeds, differing in the details of development and flowering time. The so-called "woody fig” does not produce edible fruiting, however, it provides pollen, necessary for pollination. Pollen is transferred to the female flowers of the "domestic fig” by a small hymenoptera (Blastophaga psenes). For this reason, on the plantations of "domestic figs"’ "Lignified figs" are also always planted”. About a year 1870 even moved from Algeria to California "lignified figs” together with the corresponding hymenopterans, to ensure a good yield on the plantations there.