by Robbin Holden

Created on: October 28, 2009

What is Ficus Carica? It is the scientific name for the common fig. Ficus Carica, or the common fig, is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. Its fruit are figs that can range in length from 1 to 4 inches with skin that is green, sometimes ripening towards purple or brown. Although the fruit is edible, the sap of the tree's green parts (leaves, etc.) can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Basically, there are three varieties of common figs: Caducous or Smyrna, Persistent or Common (most commonly grown by home gardeners), and Intermediate or San Pedro. There are many cultivars of these varieties such as, Celeste, Magnolia, Brown Turkey, Mission, and Kadota. These varieties and others are grown in Iran, northern India, the rest of the Mediterranean, and areas of similar climate like Louisiana, California, Oregon, Texas, South Carolina, and Washington in the United States, as well as northeastern Mexico, Australia, Chile, and South Africa. They grow best in the Mediterranean and drier, warm-temperature climates. They like dry soil and full sun.

Figs can be picked two to three times a year, but generally, there are two crops. The first crop, known as the Breba, is in the spring. The second crop, known as the main crop, ripens in late summer and early fall. The main crop is the better of the two crops in both quality and quantity. Figs need to be fully ripe before picking. They will not ripen if picked immature. Once picked, fresh figs don't keep for long and don't transport well. They can be kept in the refrigerator for two to three days. For longer storage, figs can be dried where they will keep for six to eight months. That's why most commercial production of figs is dried or processed.

Figs have been an important food crop for thousands of years. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. They are also used in jam making. They are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. Dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K. A 3.5 oz serving of dried figs has 9.8 grams of fiber and 162 mg of calcium. They are also a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols and contain many antioxidants. Since they are high in fiber they can have a laxative effect. It might be a good idea to keep that in mind the next time you're tempted to polish off an entire package of Fig Newtons in one sitting.

(Information sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/common_fig and www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html)

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