# Fig Tree (*Ficus carica*)

The Fig Tree is a wonderful tree that produces sweet figs. Figs are soft and delicious fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried!

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Warm climates and gardens
- **Also known as:** Ficus

![Fig Tree](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424678/objects/4829.jpg)

## Appearance

The Fig Tree has large, deeply lobed leaves of a dull green on top and fuzzy gray underneath. Its smooth, often twisting trunk can range from grayish-white to reddish-brown, supporting teardrop-shaped fruits that appear green, purple, or yellow when ripe.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Angiospermae
- **Class:** Dicotyledoneae
- **Order:** Urticales
- **Family:** Moraceae

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Olympic champions were often crowned with fig leaves and given figs as prizes!
- Fig trees are among the very first plants ever cultivated by humans, over 11,000 years ago!
- If you cut a fig leaf or stem, it oozes a milky white sap that can irritate skin.
- The fig 'fruit' you eat is actually a special casing filled with hundreds of tiny flowers!

## Special abilities

- **Hidden Flowers:** Fig Tree has a unique syconium structure that encases its tiny flowers inside, protecting them from pests and harsh weather.
- **Wasp Whisperer:** Fig Tree relies on a tiny fig wasp to crawl inside its fruit and pollinate its flowers, forming a crucial partnership.
- **Root Power:** Fig Tree can grow strong, deep roots that allow it to thrive in rocky soils or even cracks in walls, finding water where others can't.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 3-9 m
- **Spread:** 4-8 m
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Size:** 20-60 cm
- **Lifespan:** 50-100 years
- **Fruit Type:** Syconium
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Common Fig Wasp (*Blastophaga psenes*) — The wasp enters the fig to pollinate it.
- **Eats:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans cultivate and consume the sweet fruit.
- **Eaten by:** [Common Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blackbird) (*Turdus merula*) — Birds feed on the ripe, fleshy figs.
- **Eaten by:** Egyptian Fruit Bat (*Rousettus aegyptiacus*) — Bats eat the figs, helping to spread seeds.
- **Eats:** [Goat Moth](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goat-moth) (*Cossus cossus*) — Larvae bore into and feed on the wood.

## Traits

- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Fig Tree?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Fig Tree?

3-9 m

### How wide does Fig Tree spread?

4-8 m

### Is Fig Tree edible?

Yes

### How big is Fig Tree?

20-60 cm

### How long does Fig Tree live?

50-100 years

### Where is Fig Tree usually found?

Warm climates and gardens

### What kind of fruit does Fig Tree produce?

Syconium

## Where to spot

- [West Lake Underhill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-lake-underhill-park) — Florida, US · Park

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Fig Tree: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fig-tree)