edible fig (Ficus carica L.)

Appearance

Ficus carica is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 22.6-32.8 ft. (6.9-10 m) in height. It can easily be spotted with its smooth grey bark.

Foliage

Ficus carica is well known for its large, fragrant leaves. The leaves are 4.7-9.8 in. (12-25 cm) long and 3.9-7.1 in. (10-18 cm) across, and deeply lobed with three or five lobes.

Flowers

The flower is not visible, as it blooms inside the infructescence. The complex inflorescence of the common fig consists of a hollow fleshy structure called the zirconium, which is lined with numerous unisexual flowers.

Fruit

The edible fig fruit is the mature synconium on the outside and numerous one-seeded fruit on the inside. This type of multiple fruits is sometimes called infructescence. The fruit is 1.2-2 in. (3-5 cm) long, with green skin, sometimes ripening towards purple or brown.

Ecological Threat

It is native to Western Asia.

Citations

Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf

Selected Images

Maps

EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources

Taxonomic Rank

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Superorder: Rosanae

Order: Rosales

Family: Moraceae

Genus: Ficus L.

Ficus carica L.

References

Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.