Fig Varieties: A Monograph - uri=ucce.ucdavis

422 Hilgardia
[Vol. 23, No. 11
in which late figs of the second crop may remain on the tree during the winter,
maturing in the spring. As pointed out under the description of Sarreigne, the variety
Barnissenca is properly referred to as Ficus carica bernardi of Risso, and not to F. carica
garideli, as given by Sauvaigo, and later by both Eisen and Simonet. Martinenca is
described and figured by Estelrich, with Bernissenque as a synonym; on account of its
quality and resistance to bad drying weather in the fall, growers on the Balearic Islands
call it the “queen of black figs.”
Vernisingue has been described by Merlet (1667), Ballon (1692), Liger (1702), Langley
(1728), Bradley (1757), Hanbury (1770), Christ (1812), Audibert Frères (1854), Hogg
(1866), Soc. Pomol. de France (1887, 1947), Eisen (1888, 1901), and by Starnes and
Monroe (1907, with illustration).
Merlet called it Vernisingue, a name which Liger stated was very plainly invented.
The spelling Vernissenque was adopted by both Hogg and Eisen. The latest account,
that of Société’ Pomologique de France, lists it as Vernissangue, with Vernissenque as a
synonym, and agrees with most early authors that the external color of the fig is ashy
violet or violet-brown. Eisen, however, followed Hogg in describing the skin as
perfectly black, without a trace of lighter color. All of this leads to the conclusion that
the identity of Vernissenque is very much in doubt. The evidence seems to point to the
conclusion that it is the same as Barnissenca, in spite of the fact that Eisen (1901)
reported it to be “a distinct and well-characterized fig, superior in flavor to the small,
round Verdal, which it somewhat resembles.”
The tree of Barnissenca bears a second crop only. No records of its occurrence in
California have been found. Description of fruit is compiled from accounts of various
authors.
Figs medium or below, about 1-1/4 by 1-1/2 inches, oblique-spherical; skin thin,
adhering to the pulp; color violet-brown; pulp bright red; texture watery; quality
mediocre.
Barnissotte (syns. Bellegarde, Bernissou Negra, Bourjassotte Noire Bouriageotte,
Brogiotto Fiorentino, Brogiotto Nero, Précoce Noire, Burjassotte Preto, Grosse
Bourjassotte, Grosso Figo, Monacello, Ficus polymorpha var. depressa Gasparrini, F.
carica barnissota Risso). Described by Tanara (1651), Merlet (1667), Cupani (1696),
Garidel (1715), Tournefort (1719), La Brousse (1774), Bernard (1787), Rozier (1805),
Duhamel (1809), Gallesio (1817), Bory de Saint Vincent (1824), Risso (1826), Noisette
(1829), Couverchel (1839), Semmola (1845), Dochnahl (1855), Duchartre (1857), Hogg
(1866), Du Breuil (1876), Roda (1881), Soc. Pomol. de France (1887, 1947), Barron (1891),
Eisen (1888, 1897, 1901), Sauvaigo (1889, 1894), Massey (1893), Mello Leotte (1901),
Starnes and Monroe (1907), Tschaen (1908), Estelrich (1910), Nomblot (1913), Rolet
(1916), Mazières (1920), Borg (1922), Sanchez (1922), Priego y Jaramillo (1922), Leclerc
(1925), Bois (1928), Bobone (1932), Simonet et al. (1945), Simonet and Chopinet (1947),
Condit (1947), Delbard (1947), Evreinoff (1947), and Baldini (1953). Color illustration by
Duhamel; also by Simonet (1947). Figured in black and white by Semmola, Estelrich,
Starnes and Monroe, and Baldini.