Fig Varieties: A Monograph - uri=ucce.ucdavis

450 Hilgardia
[Vol. 23, No. 11
lower sinuses shallow; base subcordate. Description is from figs produced at Riverside
since 1931.
Brebas very few, or none. Second-crop figs below medium to small, up to 1-1/2
inches in length and the same in diameter; shape turbinate-spherical to pyriform,
sometimes oblique; average weight 23 grams; neck distinct, generally somewhat
flattened; stalk short; ribs prominent, conspicuous on account of deeper coloration than
body; eye medium, open, surrounded by a zone of lighter color, scales tinged with
violet; surface dull, with fairly heavy bloom; white flecks scattered, of medium size and
prominence; color purplish black, with neck remaining green; pulp light strawberry,
solid; flavor rich and sweet. Quality good as a fresh fruit; external color poor when
dried. See Condit (1941a, fig. 2, G).
Caprified specimens, when mature, show checked skin and dark-strawberry pulp;
flavor subacid. (Plate 28, D.)
Martinique White. Described by Eisen (1901) as a small fig, pyriform, with short
neck and prominent, swollen cheeks; ribs distinct, few; eye open, large; color yellowish
green, with ribs flushed violet; pulp red, well flavored. “A most excellent fig for
canning.”
Maure. Described by Risso (1826) as Ficus carica caffra. Figs nearly spherical; Skin
thick, glossy; color black; bloom pruinose; ribs narrow; pulp light red; seeds numerous.
Meirana (syn. Ficus carica meirana Risso, according to Sauvaigo). Description by
Eisen (1901), after that of Sauvaigo (1889), as a variety grown at Levens, France,
producing two crops. Brebas very large, brownish black; pulp red. Second-crop figs
black; pulp rose-colored.
Melagrano (syns. Franciscana, San France, Fico Unico, Fico di Spagna, Fico Robado,
Ficus carica franciscana Risso, F. polymorpha var. haematocarpa Gasparrini). Described
by Gallesio (1817), Risso (1826), Gasparrini (1845), Duchartre (1857), Pasquale (1876),
Roda (1881), Sauvaigo (1889), Eisen (1901), Trabut (1904), Simonet et al. (1945), and
Tamaro (1948, as Granado). Gallesio reported that Melagrano was not being grown in
central Italy, but that trees were common near Genoa and in certain other localities. In
southern France it was known as “Fico di San Francesco.” The name Fico di Spagna is
due to the fact that a variety of Valencia, Spain, was apparently identical. Trabut
reported that Franciscana, or Figue d’Espagne, common in Oran, was sometimes
confused with Verdale.
According to Gallesio, the tree has spreading branches and 3-lobed leaves. Breba
crop none. Second-crop figs medium, 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter, turbinate; skin
checking crisscross at maturity; color greenish violet; pulp blood red, like that of a
pomegranate; good both fresh and dried. In wet weather, figs split wide open and
spoil.
Melinga (syn. Figue Melingue). Described by Merlet (1667); his account almost
exactly followed by Ballon (1692), Liger (1702), Langley (1728), and Bradley (1757).
Figs reported to be rather small, elongated; violet outside and red inside; quality
excellent. Fruits tend to drop when nearly mature.
Melouba. Described by Minangoin (1931) from Gafsa, Tunisia. Leaves medium, 3-
lobed; sinuses deep; petiolar sinus none. Figs medium; eye open; color violet,