Feige

Figs are plants of temperate and subtropical climates. They do not generally grow well in the wet tropics, but can be grown at higher elevations in the drier to moist tropics[418 ]. The fruits develop best when plants are grown in relatively dry climates where a cool-season alternates with a hot season[335 ]. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range of 16 - 26°c, but can tolerate 4 - 38°c[418 ]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[202 ]. The top growth is susceptible to frost damage and can be killed back to the base in severe winters, though plants usually recover well[3 ]. They prefer a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,500mm, but tolerate 300 - 2,700mm[418 ]. Prefers a very sunny position but tolerates part-day shade when grown on a warm wall[202 ]. Requires a well-drained medium to light loam and some lime rubble incorporated into the soil[1 ]. Succeeds in dry soils. A heavy wet soil tends to encourage excessive plant growth at the expense of fruit production[1 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, but tolerates 4.3 - 8.6[418 ]. Seedling trees can commence cropping when only 3 - 4 years old, whilst cuttings can start fruiting in only 1 - 2 years[335 ]. Up to three crops of fruit a year can be obtained in some countries[46 ]. Trees have been known to live for as long as 200 years[418 ]. There are many named varieties[183 , 301 ]. There are two primary types of fig:- the Adriatic fig which produces fruit without pollination; and the Symrna fig that require the presents of a fig wasp for pollination[418 ]. It is a good idea to restrict the roots of fig trees on most soil types in order to discourage excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production[3 ]. This can be done by root pruning, but it is easier to place some kind of permanent restriction around the roots - planting into a large tub that is then buried into the ground is one method. It is important to make sure that the tree still gets ample moisture, especially when the fruits are ripening. Fig trees have a unique form of fertilization, each species relying on a single, highly specialized species of wasp that is itself totally dependant upon that fig species in order to breed. The trees produce three types of flowers; a male, a long-styled female and a short-styled female flower, often called the gall flower. All three types of flowers are contained within the structure we usually think of as the fruit. The female fig wasp enters a fig and lays its eggs on the short styled female flowers while pollinating the long-styled female flowers. Wingless male fig wasps emerge first, inseminate the emerging females and then bore exit tunnels out of the fig for the winged females. Females emerge, collect pollen from the male flowers and fly off in search of figs whose female flowers are receptive. In order to support a population of its pollinator, individuals of a Ficus spp. must flower asynchronously. A population must exceed a critical minimum size to ensure that at any time of the year at least some plants have an overlap of emission and reception of fig wasps. Without this temporal overlap, the short-lived pollinator wasps will go locally extinct[413 ]. When grown outdoors in Britain only one crop is usually obtained, though in exceptionally hot years two crops are sometimes produced. The fruit usually takes about 12 months to mature in Britain, baby fruits no larger than about 15mm long in the autumn usually overwinter to form the following year's crop of fruit. If plants are grown in pots in a conservatory or cold greenhouse, two crops of fruit can be obtained, one in early summer and one in late summer to autumn. Pinch back the new shoots to about six leaves in order to encourage the second crop. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help choose plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements, including nutrients and water. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [2-1]. Figs are typically harvested in Summer to early Autumn. Figs produce their flowers in Spring, though they are often hidden inside the fruit structure. Figs grow moderately fast, often reaching maturity and starting to bear fruit in 3-5 years.

Edible Parts: Fruit Sap Edible Uses: Curdling agent Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and succulent, a fully ripe specimen is an exquisite fruit that almost literally melts in the mouth[K]. The fruit is often dried for later use and this dried fruit is a major item of commerce. Figs are usually pear-shaped and up to 5cm in diameter. A nutritional analysis is available. The latex from the sap can be used to coagulate plant milks.

Agroforestry uses: Figs can be used as shade trees and for erosion control. Their leaves can also provide ground cover. Landscape Uses: Container, Espalier, Specimen. Wood - pliable but porous and of little value. It is used for hoops, garlands, ornaments, etc. When saturated with oil and covered with emery is used as a substitute for a hone. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: No – Fig flowers are enclosed inside the fruit (syconium), and while fig wasps pollinate them, they are not typically rich in nectar accessible to other pollinators. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Figs produce edible fruits that are a valuable food source for birds, mammals, and insects. The dense foliage can provide shelter, nesting, and roosting sites for birds and small animals. Leaf litter also supports insect life. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The rough bark, dense foliage, and leaf litter offer shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial invertebrates. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Fig trees do not have a strong odor that functions as a pest confuser.

Heimisch: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Palestine, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus Eingeführt: Alabama, Albania, Algeria, Andaman Is., Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bulgaria, California, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Chad, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Easter Is., Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Florida, France, Galápagos Islands, Germany, Gilbert Is., Great Britain, Gulf States, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Juan Fernández Is., Korea, Krym, Libya, Line Is., Madeira, Marianas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Massachusetts, Mauritius, Mexico Central, Mexico Southwest, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Niger, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Somalia, South Carolina, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tristan da Cunha