Ficus carica
Fig, Edible fig, Fig Common
Description
A deciduous tree growing to 6 m by 6 m at a medium rate.
BARK: smooth, greyish bark.
LEAVES : Large, palmate, hairy, 3-5 lobed leaves (to 10” long) are rough dark green above and smooth light green beneath.
FLOWERS : Small and inconspicuous. Non-showy greenish flowers form in spring inside hollow receptacles near the branch growing tips.
FRUITS (FIG): medium fruit the size of a light bulb or a little smaller. Some figs have a clear green colour and others are black or purplish.
Uses
Edible: fruit. http://www.tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Ficus+carica
Medicine: Leaves, latex, young branches, fruit. http://www.tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Ficus+carica
The wood is used for hoops, garlands, ornaments etc.
An ornamental plant.
Ecology
Common fig is a small tree native to southwest Asia but widely planted in North America. It flowers from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious and is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Management
Pruning, pinching young trees, adding fruit tree fertilizer.

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