Fig Tree

How To ID Me And What I’m Good For?

My ID Features:

Leaf

Fruit & bark

Leaf (in situ)

Caught someone pruning their tree. Lucky us!

Common Fig Tree

Latin Name - Ficus carica.

Common Names - Fig, Brown Turkey Fig
Common Fig.

Family - Moraceae.

Season - Spring - Autumn.

Edible Bits - Leaves & fruit.

Habitat - Not something your going to find in the wild, at least with our current climate. Though that's not to say a garden escapee doesn't exist. You're going to find this wonderful tree in more urban settings & gardens.

Possible Confusion - Very hard to confuse with other species given its wonderful aroma and very typical fruit.

Description - We have to say after foraging for many years for figs we had turned a blind eye to the leaf. Until a friend and chef, Jesse Wells, had been using it on his menus, saying it was a favourite. So the hunt began for a properly fruitful and rightful spot to forage an abundance of leaves. And my god, the leaf is just incredible! Upon drying in the oven or dehydrator the scent of fresh coconut fills the house. Once crispy, it's ground down to a powder and used in any way you see fit. Most recipes you'll find online simply leave the leaf to infuse in a liquid without any reminiscence of its former green self. This didn't sit well with Nikki & I, so we went on a gastronomical mission to bring that to the forefront when creating a recipe. The fruit themselves don't need any introduction being a staple on many menus both professionally and domestically. Though interestingly the fig tree is thought to be one of the first cultivated plants, with some records showing cultivation as far back as 11,000 years ago!

Physical Characteristics - There are hundreds, if not thousands, of fig varieties. All of these belong to one of two types: common figs, which do not require pollination to set good fruit; and Smyrna figs, which require pollination. Smyrna figs are pollinated by caprifigs, which provide pollen but are considered inedible.

The fig itself is not a single fruit but a syconium, an enlarged, fleshy and hollow flower stalk, or peduncle. The flowers are tiny and on the inside of the peduncle. A single fig contains many fruits; each seed is part of one fruit.

A common fig tree is a deciduous tree or large shrub growing up to 20–35 ft tall. It has smooth white bark and its large leaves have three to five deep lobes (please see pictures). Its fruit is tear-shaped, with a green skin that ripens into a beautiful mauve colour. In the Northern Hemisphere, fresh figs are in season from late summer to early autumn. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried depending on your preference.

Medicinal Qualities -

The leaves - Fig leaves are a good source of vitamin A, B1, and B2. They also contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, & potassium.

The fruit - They are a naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free food. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Potassium & Magnesium

Harvesting Sustainability - Given that this tree is none-native and your unlikely to find it in the wild. It's not something which your likely to damage the environment by picking. Though we're sure the insects love it just as much as we do!

Saftey Note

The sap produced by the fig tree has proven to be an irritant to the skin. So if you're worried. Best to wear some gloves.

As always, be careful to pick away from human or animal contaminants.

Never munch on a hunch! Volf takes no responsibility for anything consumed.

Now For The Tasty Bit!

Here Are More Delicious Recipes…