Figs
Some things you might not know about figs:
- There are about 800 species of figs.
- The ‘fruit’ that we eat is not a fruit, but actually a collection of flowers called an inflorescence.
- These flowers grow on the inside of the ‘fruit’.
- Each species of fig is usually pollinated by its own species of wasp in a symbiotic relationship.
- It is thought that figs could be the oldest cultivated crop (preceding wheat and rye by up to 1000 years).
- Figs have a higher quantity of fibre than any other dried or fresh fruit.
Botanical Information
Family: Moraceae
Scientific Name: Ficus L. ( the common edible fig is Ficus carica L. )
Etymology: Ficus is the Latin for fig (you get that with very old plants).
Uses: Figs can be eaten fresh or dried. Fresh figs don’t travel very well, so unless you are lucky enough to have your own tree, you can usually only buy dried figs.
History: Figs are an ancient plant and are mentioned in the Bible and the Qur’an.
Another species of fig is the Indian banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) that is considered sacred. It represents eternal life because of its seemingly ever-expanding branches.
Entry Filed under: Flowers,Fruit,Mediterranean,Moraceae,Western Asia
13 Comments Add your own
1. dan | February 20th, 2008 at
i am doing a school prodject (not for public viewing) would it be ok if i used the figs picture in the project? I know I need to ask because we’ve been learning about copyright.
Thanks,
Dan
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
Wales
2. Abhijiet Moon | November 27th, 2008 at
I wanted to about figs, and i thank botanicalfeast.com for giving such an simple yet effective explanation. And it’s very true that figs are hardly available as fresh fruits!!!
3. Peter | March 10th, 2009 at
Dan,
That’s not a problem. Most images on this site are from morguefile.com.
4. Sonia | July 23rd, 2010 at
I’m lucky to have three fig trees in my yard and I can say that they are delicious
5. Safdar | November 11th, 2010 at
Health & Nutritional Benefits of Eating Figs
The rich potassium content of figs helps to maintain the blood pressure of the body.
Figs are rich in dietary fiber, which makes them very effective for weight management program.
Even leaves of the fig plant have healing properties. Eating fig leaves helps diabetic patients reduce the amount of insulin intake.
Consuming figs helps to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Calcium and potassium present in figs prevent bone thinning and help to promote bone density.
Tryptophan, present in figs, induces good sleep and helps get rid of sleeping disorders like insomnia.
Eating figs relieves fatigue and boosts memory power.
Drinking fig juice helps to soothe irritated bronchial passages.
Consumption of figs with milk cures illness like anemia.
Due to their laxative effect, figs are helpful for treating chronic constipation.
Daily consumption of soaked figs (2-3) is an effective remedy for curing hemorrhoids or piles.
The soluble fiber, called pectin, in figs helps in reducing blood cholesterol.
When applied on skin, baked figs can cure inflammations like abscesses and boils.
Due to their high water content, mashed figs act as a very good skin cleanser and help in preventing and curing acnes and pimples.
Figs are rich in calcium and are excellent calcium alternatives for people who are allergic to dairy products.
Consuming figs also helps in aiding digestion and taming various stomach and bowel-related problems.
The juice obtained from green figs is effective for softening and treating corns.
Figs promote the overall well-being of an individual and are excellent aphrodisiacs.
6. stacious | December 8th, 2010 at
i didn’t now if the fruit but where u find this fruit can it be grown in a tropical counrty?
7. saqib | December 24th, 2010 at
can any one tell me from where it can be get and aslo tell that what we ask figs in urdu languages ? please urgently tell if anyones konws about.
thank;s
8. Kamran Ali | January 15th, 2011 at
In urdu language it is called “Injeer”(انجیر).And you can buy it from any dry fruit shops.
Regards,
9. Jocelyn | March 6th, 2011 at
I am so lucky cause my husband has a fig tree I love it and it’s so delicious
10. VIVIAN | July 10th, 2011 at
I’M FROM HAWAII AND WE HAD A FIG TREE OVER OUR CESSPOOL AND DID IT EVER PRODUCE YUMMY AND LARGE FRUIT…WE ATE THEM FRESH AND ALSO IN A BOWL WITH CREAM OVER THEM….
I JUST PICKED SOME HERE IN MESA ,AZ. AND THESE FRUIT ARE SMALL AND FAIRLY SWEET BUT NOT AS SUCCULENT….I’M LOOKING FOR A RECIPIE TO USE THEM IN….LAST TIME I DRIED THEM AND THEN USED THEM GRADUALLY IN CHUTNEYS…YEARS BEFORE, SOMEONE GAVE ME SOME SMALL GREEN ONES WHEN WE WERE IN WASHINGTON STATE AND I FROZE THEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE CLEANING OUT MY FREEZER AND MADE THEN MADE THE MOST DELICIOUS FIG CHUTNEY OUT OF THEM…ALOHA.
11. Nancy | July 24th, 2011 at
I was given this fruit to help the digestive system of my autistc child. I been amazed with Safdar intake. I really appreaciate it. thanks great post.
12. Rafael Poudel | October 1st, 2011 at
Thank you for the information provided. It is said to be best for piles as well. Could you tell me what it is called in Nepal? Because it seems like it is not produced over here…
13. B | December 25th, 2011 at
Rafael,
It is called Anjeer in Nepal and yes, you can get the dried version of it in any dry fruit shop. Hope it helps:)
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed