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[R] Ficus carica L. (Moraceae).
Fr: Figuier; Ge: Feigenbaum; Pt: Figueira; Sp: Higo; It: Fico.
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- Tree with a tortuous trunk, with latex, attaining a height of 10 to 15 m, and chiefly cultivated in the Mediterranean basin.
- The fleshy fruit (figs) are consumed fresh or dried(*) . Harvested at maturity, they may be stored for only a short time.
- The principal European producers are Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
- It is propagated by cuttings or suckering.
- The varieties are differentiated on the basis of their flowering: varieties flowering once a year, having one harvest of fruit a year, in summer or autumn, or those flowering twice a year, permitting two harvests.
- It starts to produce during its 4th year, attaining full production at about 12 years of age.
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- Diseases: the only disease of economic significance is Diaporthe cinarescens. The viral diseases (mosaic, transmitted by an acarid mite (Aceria fiens), although having clearly visible affects, do not seem particularly harmful.
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- Principal European pests: the (Ceroplastes rusci) and Eutromula nemorana (Hübner) (Lep. Glyphipterigidae) are the most serious.
Homotoma ficus (L.) (Hom., Psyllidae) attacks the leaves.

[R] Images

* Fig-tree bough and fruit (section) (Minost C.)
1: Fig-tree bough; a: leaf lobed, dick; petiole long and big; b: fruit: fig; 2: longitudinal section of a fig.

To read this page in French

HYPPZ on line: Species (scientific names), Pests (common names), Glossary, Crops.

HYP3 : HYPP Phytopathology.

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