9. Ficus Carica, Mission Black Fig

 

 

Ficus carica, Mission Black Fig

 

 

 

 

 

Lobed, palmate leaf in an alternate arrangement

 

9. Mission Black Fig, Ficus carica

Artist’s Note:

Native to the Mediterranean, this fruit tree is also grown throughout the world as an ornamental. At LBH&G, it is planted in a group of trees between the paw paw and plums. With its twisted roots and large lobed leaves, it is a stunning specimen when covered with figs in late summer. While Ficus carica is parthenocarpic, the reproductive strategy is more complex in other varieties. Fig flowers are on the inside of the fruit pouch. A microscopic wasp enters the fruit and pollinates the flowers. Individually, a specific species of wasp only pollinates a single variety of the over 900 types of figs. They are mutually dependent and cannot survive without each other. 

 

Vulgo: Mission Black Fig

 

Name: Ficus carica

 

Family: Moraceae

Habit: Tree

Height: 30 ft (10 M)

Native to: Mediterranean

 

Leaf type: Simple

 

Shape: Lobed

 

Tip: Acute

 

Margin: Dentate

 

Venation: Palmate

 

Surface: Smooth 

 

Size: 9 in (23 cm)

 

Arrangement: Alternate 

Pen and ink: Amber R Turner © 2020