Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Fig (Ficus carica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Urticales>Moraceae>Ficus carica L.

Fig (Ficus carica) leaves

The fig is a small tree from Eurasia commonly planted for its fruit. Persistent from cultivation in North Carolina, it rarely escapes from cultivation on barrier islands. The tree photographed here was planted.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/25/2009.

Fig (Ficus carica) leaves

The large leaves are large, 3-lobed, and densely pubescent.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/25/2009.

Fig (Ficus carica) leaves

Compare with Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), perhaps the most similar species in NC, which has smaller roughly pubescent leaves, but much different fruit.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/3/08.

Fig (Ficus carica) leaves

Chapel Hill, NC 5/3/08.

Fig (Ficus carica) bark

The bark is smooth and gray. Trees are normally multi-trunked.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/3/08.

More information:
Floridata
Fruits of Warm Climates
USDA PLANTS database
Wikipedia

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.