Fig

[mrs fish]

I have found a Fig growing on the reserve and wondered if it is classed as a native. It does look out of place



Also have I read correctly that it needs a certain wasp to pollinate the fruits ?

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I have found a Fig growing on the reserve and wondered if it is classed as a native. It does look out of place



Also have I read correctly that it needs a certain wasp to pollinate the fruits ?

i know of a local (large) fig tree growing wild to me too

Don't know about the wasp thing but to be honest many people round my way have fig tree's growing and they usualy all fruit lovely, though the last two years have been harsh on some of them.

its not classed as a native.

[wildherbalian85]

Here is my local tree....



unfortunatly the past two years this like many others have suffered and the fuit drops of before reaching maturity - only a handfull of local tree's have ripe fruit on them this year. Too much rain, too little sunshine, and not warm enough.

[AlanS]

Yes, figs turn up in unexpected places, sometimes on old walls, and I imagine that they result from birds wiping their beaks on the stonework after eating figs they have found somewhere.

Sometimes, when in London, I do the tourist thing and visit Camden Market (which explains the bronze rhinoceros in my kitchen and other random junk), and I usually drop down to the canal where a few oddities, including Fig, grow along its banks.
Also, last time, while I was sitting near the fig, a kind gentleman with a West Indian accent offered to sell me some herbal substances, which I thought was really good of him, though I did decline.

Alan

[ron1863]

They even grow up here in Scotland, though it's rare to get any fruit.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I have found a Fig growing on the reserve and wondered if it is classed as a native. It does look out of place
Also have I read correctly that it needs a certain wasp to pollinate the fruits ?

Certainly not a native, but harmless in terms of invasiveness or carrying disease or pests.

The false fruit, called a synconium has numerous flowers arranged on its hollow inner surface and most fig species have specialist pollinators - many of which are wasp species. The 'false fruit' of the common fig 'ripens' irrespective of whether the flowers have been fertilised although the UK climate is rarely accommodating to ensure anything more than the occasional limited crop.

CM

[mrs fish]

Your local tree is big Wildherbalian !!

Thanks all for your Fig info

I will keep a look out for fruits

[djackso]

Originally Posted by AlanS

Also, last time, while I was sitting near the fig, a kind gentleman with a West Indian accent offered to sell me some herbal substances, which I thought was really good of him, though I did decline.

Alan

Tee hee hee

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Certainly not a native, but harmless in terms of invasiveness or carrying disease or pests.

The false fruit, called a synconium has numerous flowers arranged on its hollow inner surface and most fig species have specialist pollinators - many of which are wasp species. The 'false fruit' of the common fig 'ripens' irrespective of whether the flowers have been fertilised although the UK climate is rarely accommodating to ensure anything more than the occasional limited crop.

CM

The really wet weather of the past year (and last) caused the immature "fruits" to drop off alot off the local tree's - the only tree's that have any ripe fruits are those that are somewhat sheltered.
By the way i know of around 7 tree's local to me that i can acsess - admitadly all but one are growing in gardens (front and back) and over hang into street.

[davidbr]

Figs (Ficus carica) are thoroughly naturalised along the banks of the River Avon in central Bristol, with a couple of very fine specimens growing out of stone walls in Castle Park, not more than a fig-throw from the city's main shopping centre

Interestingly all the trees seem to be of roughly the same age; I was told, no idea if it's true mind, that now-eliminated industrial practices earlier last century made the river water a couple of degrees warmer than it is today, sufficient to ripen seeds released in sewage etc.