Different Types of Garden Fig Leaves and Trees - Know the Difference
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If you ever see a vendor selling beautiful, large fig leaves, buy them. It is easy to spot them, as the leaves are clear, lively green with thick veins and prominent stem. These leaves are edible and offer exceptional health benefits when consumed. However, most of us aren’t aware of them, because they aren’t used as much as they should be. We think it is all about wrapping fish in them or keeping the steam-cooked food moist. But, in reality, there are many other uses of fig leaves. From treating diabetes to high blood pressure, we can do anything. In case you are interested in them and determined to eat them, dry them first and turn them into powder. You can use that powder as a topping on your dishes.
There are over 700 varieties of Fig trees. Most of them are adapted to a wide range of climates and soil types. A mature tree can encounter much colder atmospheres, but a small tree is sensitive to freeze. Therefore, it needs special care until all the hazards of cold past. |
Before you visit local nursery, it is crucial to know about all varieties of fig trees. They fall into four main types: Caprifig, Smyrna, Sand Pedro, and Common Figs. Caprifig produces male flowers, whereas Smyrna bears all female flowers. It needs to be pollinated by Caprifig. On the other hand, Sand Pedro is a tad different type as it has two crops. One requires no pollination, while the other crop requires it by a male flower.
Common Fig trees are the most popular type. They are usually grown in home landscapes. They don’t need any other tree for pollination. They are widely cultivated since ancient times for their fruit, known as fig. Now, let’s take a closer look at each type in detail.
Common Fig trees are the most popular type. They are usually grown in home landscapes. They don’t need any other tree for pollination. They are widely cultivated since ancient times for their fruit, known as fig. Now, let’s take a closer look at each type in detail.
Caprifig
Caprifig tree only produces male or pollen-yielding flowers. It is a wild variety of fig of South Europe and South West Asia. It is used in the caprification (a method of artificial pollination). These trees are not useful as fruit producers. They are indeed vital as pollinators for other types of figs. The fig wasp transports their pollen to the flowers of other fig tree. Wasps live and breed inside Caprifig flowers and don’t breed in the flowers of edible figs. According to researchers, there is no other insect which can be as successful as fig wasp. They are the best source of pollination. Therefore, the presence of Caprifig is important. It lures these insects for edible fruit production in fig trees.
Caprifig tree only produces male or pollen-yielding flowers. It is a wild variety of fig of South Europe and South West Asia. It is used in the caprification (a method of artificial pollination). These trees are not useful as fruit producers. They are indeed vital as pollinators for other types of figs. The fig wasp transports their pollen to the flowers of other fig tree. Wasps live and breed inside Caprifig flowers and don’t breed in the flowers of edible figs. According to researchers, there is no other insect which can be as successful as fig wasp. They are the best source of pollination. Therefore, the presence of Caprifig is important. It lures these insects for edible fruit production in fig trees.
Smyrna Figs
Smyrna Fig tree produces all female flowers, which have to be pollinated by Caprifig. Pollinating is compulsory of Smyrna. It facilitates this tree to produce ripe fruits. But, these types don’t just need pollination; they need ‘proper’ pollination. Since, if they are not pollinated in a proper manner, their fruits will drop from the tree before they are developed. For that reason, the role of fig wasps becomes more important here. The farmers of the Smyrna tree often put small baskets of Caprifig along with the fig wasps (that Caprifig is hosting) near Smyrna fig trees to make 100% certain that pollination will take place.
Smyrna Fig tree produces all female flowers, which have to be pollinated by Caprifig. Pollinating is compulsory of Smyrna. It facilitates this tree to produce ripe fruits. But, these types don’t just need pollination; they need ‘proper’ pollination. Since, if they are not pollinated in a proper manner, their fruits will drop from the tree before they are developed. For that reason, the role of fig wasps becomes more important here. The farmers of the Smyrna tree often put small baskets of Caprifig along with the fig wasps (that Caprifig is hosting) near Smyrna fig trees to make 100% certain that pollination will take place.
San Pedro Figs
This tree type does not need to be pollinated to set a breba (the first crop which grows on old branches and develops properly without cross pollination). But, it does need pollination for the second crop later in the season, which is also known as the main crop. This type actually bears two crops of fruit in one season. The first crop is based on the previous season’s growth, while the second (main) crop relies on the current growth. Just like Smyrna Fig tree, Sand Pedro type also requires pollination from the Capri fig especially for its second growth to produce edible fruits. The farmers and the homeowners stay immensely careful during the second crop process. Since, the lack of pollination from the Capri fig often destroys it on a massive scale and drops the fruits on a frequent basis.
This tree type does not need to be pollinated to set a breba (the first crop which grows on old branches and develops properly without cross pollination). But, it does need pollination for the second crop later in the season, which is also known as the main crop. This type actually bears two crops of fruit in one season. The first crop is based on the previous season’s growth, while the second (main) crop relies on the current growth. Just like Smyrna Fig tree, Sand Pedro type also requires pollination from the Capri fig especially for its second growth to produce edible fruits. The farmers and the homeowners stay immensely careful during the second crop process. Since, the lack of pollination from the Capri fig often destroys it on a massive scale and drops the fruits on a frequent basis.
Common Fig Tree
It is a deciduous, spreading, multi-trunk tree type, also known as Ficus Carica. It grows to heights of fifteen to thirty feet. Though, Ficus Carica was native to the Middle East and West Asia, but now it is grown throughout the world. The fragrant leaves of the tree are 12-25 centimeters long and 10-18 centimeters wide. Unlike other types, it does not need pollination to bear fruit. It bears two crops in a single year and produces fruit on the current season’s growth. Because of its less pollinating demands, it is quite popular in the United States. You can easily find them in a local nursery as most homeowners love to buy it too.
Almost all species of Fig trees are evergreen. Most of them have broad leaves rather than coniferous needles. All of them produce fruits as well, but some are more noticeable than others. If you are interested in having a fig tree for your home garden, you need to learn how to identify it first. The above four types are enough to facilitate in opting for the best one. But, you can easily identify the fig tree through the fig leaves shape and size as well.
There are total eight types of fig leaves – Hamma, Ischia, Alma or Stanford Caprifig, Constantine, Mission, San Piero, Calimyrna, and Brunswick. They have their own growth habit, appearance, and feel. If you are in search of a medium-sized, fruit bearing tree, you are in luck. There are lots of fig trees for sale online these days. It does not matter even if you have a limited growing space as they can grow well in a container too. Usually, almost all the fig trees are heat tolerant and low maintenance. You do not have to worry a lot about fertilizing and watering. In case you are residing in a colder zone, consider getting your tree in a container. It helps you to bring it indoors for the protection during winter seasons.
It is a deciduous, spreading, multi-trunk tree type, also known as Ficus Carica. It grows to heights of fifteen to thirty feet. Though, Ficus Carica was native to the Middle East and West Asia, but now it is grown throughout the world. The fragrant leaves of the tree are 12-25 centimeters long and 10-18 centimeters wide. Unlike other types, it does not need pollination to bear fruit. It bears two crops in a single year and produces fruit on the current season’s growth. Because of its less pollinating demands, it is quite popular in the United States. You can easily find them in a local nursery as most homeowners love to buy it too.
Almost all species of Fig trees are evergreen. Most of them have broad leaves rather than coniferous needles. All of them produce fruits as well, but some are more noticeable than others. If you are interested in having a fig tree for your home garden, you need to learn how to identify it first. The above four types are enough to facilitate in opting for the best one. But, you can easily identify the fig tree through the fig leaves shape and size as well.
There are total eight types of fig leaves – Hamma, Ischia, Alma or Stanford Caprifig, Constantine, Mission, San Piero, Calimyrna, and Brunswick. They have their own growth habit, appearance, and feel. If you are in search of a medium-sized, fruit bearing tree, you are in luck. There are lots of fig trees for sale online these days. It does not matter even if you have a limited growing space as they can grow well in a container too. Usually, almost all the fig trees are heat tolerant and low maintenance. You do not have to worry a lot about fertilizing and watering. In case you are residing in a colder zone, consider getting your tree in a container. It helps you to bring it indoors for the protection during winter seasons.
Source:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/different-types-of-fig-trees.htm
http://www.treenames.net/ti/ficus/fig_tree_names_index.html
https://www.hunker.com/12002274/how-to-identify-types-of-fig-trees
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/edible-fig-plant-identification-leaf-94045.html
https://www.britannica.com/plant/fig
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/different-types-of-fig-trees.htm
http://www.treenames.net/ti/ficus/fig_tree_names_index.html
https://www.hunker.com/12002274/how-to-identify-types-of-fig-trees
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/edible-fig-plant-identification-leaf-94045.html
https://www.britannica.com/plant/fig
