Fig Varieties: A Monograph - uri=ucce.ucdavis

February, 1955] Condit: Fig Varieties
469
variable as to lobing; some are 3-lobed, with upper sinuses shallow, others 5-lobed,
with upper sinuses of medium depth, lower sinuses shallow; basal lobes commonly
auricled (especially on leaves of sucker growth), with the borders overlapping; margins
coarsely crenate.
Breba crop fair, stimulated by terminal-bud pruning of dormant twigs, as described
by Hodgson (1925); figs large, up to 3-3/4 inches long and 2-1/2 inches in diameter,
oblique-pyriform, sometimes elongated; average weight 105 grams; neck thick and
short, merging gradually into body; stalk thick and short; ribs prominent, generally
coloring earlier and deeper than body; eye large, open, scales tinted pink, even on
immature fruit; white flecks numerous, variable in size; color greenish purple, darker
on side exposed to sun and on the apex; bloom delicate, pruinose; meat violet; pulp
strawberry; flavor rich; quality good. (Plate 24, A.)
Second-crop figs medium to large, or commonly very large on sucker wood of
heavily pruned trees, obovate to oblique-pyriform; average weight 70 grams; neck
variable, thick and short, or sometimes up to 1/2 inch long and curved; ribs prominent;
eye large, open, scales purple; surface somewhat glossy, with prominent bloom; white
flecks large, scattered, some elongated, violet at maturity; color purplish black, with
lighter shades on neck; pulp strawberry, center hollow, as shown in plate 11 and by
Condit (1941a, fig. 11, A); flavor fairly rich. Quality fair to good when matured on the
tree. Consumed fresh; worthless for drying, on account of poor color and susceptibility
to spoilage, therefore seldom grown in the San Joaquin Valley. (Plates 10; 11; 12; 24, B.)
Caprified figs have darker color of skin, a deeper strawberry in the pulp, larger,
fertile seeds, and better flavor, than uncaprified ones.
Santagatese. Described by Ferrari (1912) as a variety of limited culture in Sicily,
producing large, turbinate figs, reddish purple in color, with light strawberry pulp.
São Luiz. Described and illustrated by Mello Leotte (1901) and Bobone (1932) from
specimens grown at Loulé’. Second-crop figs turbinate, with short, thick neck and short
stalk; skin thin, of fine texture; color violet-black; pulp light red; quality very good.
Saraïna (syns. Sarasina, Ficus carica saracenica Risso). Described by Risso (1826),
Sauvaigo (1889), and Eisen (1901), as a variety of southern France, much subject to
“couler,” or dropping of fruit of the first crop.
Second-crop figs medium or above, oblong-turbinate; skin thick, firm, checking,
adhering to the meat; color black; pulp red.
Sarreigne (syns. Petite Bourjassotte, Verdalo, Pichotte Barnissotte, Ficus carica
garideli Risso). Described by La Quintinie (1692), Cupani (1696), Tournefort (1719),
Garidel (1715), Bernard (1787), Rozier (1805), Duhamel (1809, with color illustration),
Risso (1826), Noisette (1829), Couverchel (1839), Sauvaigo (1889), and Eisen (1901).
Careful comparison of the various descriptions of Sarreigne and Barnissenca shows that
these two varieties are confused as to identity. Tournefort described Petite
Bourjassotte, and quoted the previous description of Cupani. Bernard quoted verbatim
the Latin descriptions of both of the above authors, and stated that the variety is called
Verdalos near Draguignan and Sarreignos at Cuers and Hyères. Duhamel listed the
variety