Common fig types

Common figs are the most distributed types of figs in North America. Their development is pathenocarpic which means they do not require pollination by the fig wasp. They are most ideal for home gardeners as the fig wasp is not naturally present in North America. Also, common figs can be bifara or unifera. (bifara produce two crops and unifera one crop)

San Pedro fig types

San Pero fig types bear two crops of fig flowers. The first crop develops on the previous year branches and is pathenocarpic. However, unlike bifara common figs, the second crop requires pollination by fig wasps. A good example of a San Pedro is the Desert King cultivar.

Smyrna fig types

Smyrna fig varieties have fig flowers requiring pollination by fig wasps. In this case pollination of figs is crucial since Smyrna varieties require this process for the fig flowers to come to maturity. Also, the name Smyrna is related to the ancient city Smyrna (Known as İzmir in modern day Turkey.)

Caprifig types

The Caprifigs are the male flowers and they are an important element in pollination of female fig flowers. Most importantly, Caprifigs contain pollen that is carried by fig wasps into the female fig flowers. Caprifigs normally have three crops. The first one during spring “profichi”, “mammoni” during fall and “mamme” in winter. Generally, Caprifigs are not for consumption but they are sometimes used to feed livestock in Turkey. Also, according to my discussion with Dr. Ferit Çobanoğlu in some parts of Turkey, caprifigs are used in the confection of jams. (This process requires the caprifigs to be harvested before fig wasps enter the male flowers.)