Fig Synonyms | What is a Synonym & A List of Types or Categories and their many names

What is a Fig Tree Synonym?

In the fruit world, synonyms are different names for genetically identical varieties. Due to widespread popularity, irresponsible hobbyist naming practices, and a lack of knowledge about fig trees, a fig variety called Hardy Chicago has amassed over 100 synonyms: Bensonhurst Purple, Bethlehem Black, & Malta Black are a few you might have heard of. 

Below is a video comparison of several Hardy Chicago figs with different names.

And it’s not just Hardy Chicago. There are 10, 20, or more synonyms for figs like White Marseilles, Longue d’Aout, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, and other popular fig varieties.

This is why learning about fig varieties can be challenging for beginners. Therefore, I decided to categorize varieties into specific "types" or "categories” whether or not they were exact synonyms. Maybe they were just very similar. This helped me sort through the confusion and decide which figs to add to my collection and how to avoid growing duplicates of the same variety.

The List of Fig Variety Synonyms:

Below, I've listed the most popular fig varieties and their common synonyms. Every fig grower should learn these. With thousands of fig varieties and their synonyms, it can be overwhelming. If a variety isn't common and not on this list, it's probably not worth learning right now. This is a great starting point:

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Hardy Chicago

Abba

Abington Unknown

Abou George

Abruzzi

Angelo's Dark

Antonelli

Azores Dark

Bari

Bensonhurt Purple

Bifere

Bisirri #3

Bisirri Dark #2

Black Bethlehem

Black Greek

Black Portugal

Brockton Greek

Bryant Dark

Ciccio Fico Nero

Colasanti Dark

Conde

Crozes

Danny's Delight

Dark Portugeuse

Dominick's Black

Don Fortissi Black

Enola Italian #1

Gino's Black

Ginoso

Hardy Chicago

Hardy Hartford

Hardy Pittsburgh

Italian Purple Red

Jersey Fig

Joe's Jersey

Keddie

Kesariani

Kesariani

Letizia

Macool

Malta Black

Marseilles Black VS

Martini

Maryland Berry

Mavra Sika

Mavra Sika

Mead

Natalina

Navid's Unk Dark Greek

NJ Red

Norella

Panana's Purple

Papa John

Pop's Purple

Red Lebanese (Bekaa)

Rossi Dark

Salem Dark

Sals EL/Gene

San Donato di Ninea

Sangue Dolce

Sao Miguel Roxo

Sicilian Dark (GM #11)

Spanish Black

St. Rita

Sunfire

Takoma Violet

Unk Attilio Purple

Unk Lyon France

Unk Nola Dark

Unknown Owensboro

Valoze

Vibo Valencia

Zingarella

Barran

Cardeal

Savanac Noire

Luisa's Fig

Michael Grace Mystery Fig

Columbaro Nero

Acciano

Aldo's Palermo Red

Bella

Bisirri Light #1

Black Triana

Brooklyn Dark

Chico Malibu

Sal's Corleone

Enrico

GM #17

Nardi Black

Panevino Dark

Robin's Sicilian Black

Schar Italian

Sicilian Black JR

Sicilian Red

St. Jerome

Vincenzo

Weeping Black

Zingarella RW

Gisotta Nero

Fico Callara

Exquisito

Dalmatie

Stella

Makedonian White

San Pietro

Staten Island Bomb

Vasilika Sika (BC)

White Greek

Leon's Montenegro

Gayet

Marot

Henderson Green

Hivernenca

De La Senyora (Hivernenca)

Coll de Dama Cuitat

Moro de Bou

Bergunya

Labritja

Ouriola

Verdal Longue

Can Planetes

Montanha Verde

Chetouia

Cendrosa

Lampeira 1

Figo Moro da Caneva

Nerino

Fico Secco (PB)

Szivarfuge

Violette de Bordeaux

Beer's Black

Little Miss Figgy

Negronne

Nero 600m

Petite Aubique

Petite Negri

Valle Calda

Valle Negra

Vista

Unk Negretta (Marius)

Ischia Black (RW)

Black Provence

7th Street Unk

Vallecalda di Borgofornari

Ischia Black (Arboreum)

Picolla Negretta

Malone

Ischia Black (Porq)

Black Mission

Abeberiera

Abicou

Albacor

Azul azul

Bebera Preta

Bolzano Nero

Carne Don Celia

Colar d'Albatera

Corvo

De La Reina

Deos Negra

Dr. Monticello

Fico Niedda

Hatfield Unk

Italian Black

Kathleen's Black

​Malta Mission

Maltese Falcon

Melanzana Calabrese

Napolitana Negra

Noire de Caromb

Perkounis (BC #100)

Piombinese

Unk Burbank & Vineland

Unk Italian AS

English Brown Turkey

Bayernfeige Violeta

Calliope's Red Greek

Emma

Feng Chan Huang

Gene's Vashon

LaRadek's BT

Nexoe/Bornholm

Olympian

Sodus Sicilian

Sweet George

Unk Carini

Valliery

Cosenza

Chiappetta

Fehmarn

Morena

St. Peters (JFE)

Sunbird Unk

Dotatto

Kadota

Banana

Pingo de Mel

Excel

Moscatel Branco

Peter's Honey

White Texas Everbearing

Gota De Mel

Corynth

Bourjassotte Noire

Bordissot Negra

Bracajote

Brogiotto Nero Fiorentino

Parisienne

Violette de Sollies

Bordissot Negra Rimada

Noire De Barbentane

Bordissot Negra de Coll Llarg

Ham Ram

Negrette de Porquerolles

Black Madeira

Violetta (Lampo)

Black Tuscan

Cravin's Craving

Figo Preto

Madeira Island Black

Pota de Cavall

Black Portuguese (BC)

Atreano

Conadria

Lattarola

Lyndhurst White

Troiano Calabrese

Unk Mittica

White Triana

Yellow Lebanese

Persian White (Bass)

Montenegro (Marius)

Napolitana Blanca

Qalaat al Madiq

Sicilian White (BC)

Sefrawi

Dr. Gowaty

Emerald Strawberry

Qudssaya

Naples White

Brooklyn White

Sister Madeline's Yellow

Unk Blackberry

Sweet Mashinka Unk

Celeste

Egyptian Pharaoh

Improved Celeste

Tennessee Mountain

LSU O'Rourke

Fred's Celeste

Stallion

Malta (Durio)

Patrick's Super Giant (Bill)

Sweet Diana

The One

Sturch's

Seven Lakes Unk

Violette de Marseilles

Santa Margherita

Noah

Texas Peach

Celeste (Fruitwood) Celeste (Becnel)

Slidell Black

Celeste (EL)

Blue Celeste

White Marseilles

Blanche

Byadi

Italian Honey

Marseilles

Oregon Prolific

St. Anthony

Lattarula

White Ischia

LSU Hollier (JFE)

Longue d'Aout

Cucumber

Melanzana Merdoscola

Nordland

Niagara Black

Nitra

Lungo Di Portugallo

Perretta

Grigio

Pelligrino

Italian Everbearing "Sport" (BC)

Adriatic

Battaglia Green

Calverte

Green Ischia

Green Michurinska

Harry's Crete

JH Adriatic

Proscuitto Unk

Rockaway Green

Sister Madeline's Green Greek

Strawberry

Strawberry Verte

Texas Strawberry

Unknown Lake Spur

Vasilika Sika (VS)

Ventura

Verte

Fico Gentile (European Version)

Mercedes Gem

Verdino del Nord (Tatiana)

Anconetana

White Madeira #1

Paradiso Bronze (VS)

Verdino (Giacomo)

Verdino (Toscano)

Blanche de Deux Saison

Gros Monstreuse di Lipari

California Brown Turkey

Black Jack

Black Spanish

Greek Isle

Improved Brown Turkey

Kure Beach Unk

LSU Thibodeaux

Rei

Rob's Genovese Nero

Texas Blue Giant

Fico Nera Duemane (BC)

Morocco Alter 23

Xinesa (MP)

Brunswick

Calabrese Long

Doree

Goutte D'or

Khurtmani

Magnolia

Rattlesnake Island

Red Israel

Fico Zana (BC)

Capelas

Grise de St. Jean

D'en Manel

Loretta

Cateto

LSU Hollier

Unk Spain

Nebo

Teramo

Brown Sugar Crunch

Brandon St. Unk

LSU Scott's Black

JFE's Black Madeira Not

Coll de Dama Grise (VS)

Yellow Long Neck

Golden Rainbow

Long Yellow

Smith

Cessac

Texas BA-1

Verdino del Nord (VR)

Figoin

Zigalino

Figalino

Verdal (Ibiza)

Verdolino

Salame

Noire de Bellone

Barnissotte (USDA)

Coll de Dama

Coll de Dama Blanc

Coll de Dama Noire

Coll de Dama Grise

Coll de Dama Roja

Coll de Dama Gegantina

Sarda

Coll de Dama Mutante

Coll de Dama Rimada

Joualle Noire

Molla Vermella

Beat Ramon

Bourjassotte Grise

Violet Sepor

Socorro Black

Socorro Green

Calderona

Bass' Favorite Fig

Constans

Aunan

Las Carreteres

La Croix Blanche

Eaubonne

Sucrette

Cul Noir

Black Celeste

Marion

Now that you’re aware of many fig tree synonyms, you should be better informed and prepared to make good decisions when selecting a new fig variety to grow. But what if you wanted to name your fig variety? Maybe you found a new variety, maybe it’s a seedling or a tree that your family has been growing for generations. 

Here are some tips and general rules to avoid adding to the confusion:

Naming a Fig Variety

First and foremost, you need to understand whether or not your fig is unique. Ask yourself these questions: 

1. Is your fig variety unique?

2. If your fig variety is not unique, can it be identified, does it have any synonyms, and what observable differences can be seen to merit a new name?

Here are some examples:

Seedlings:

1. If you plant a seed, it is acceptable to name your new fig variety whatever you please. Seedlings are genetically unique and will not have any synonyms. By hand pollinating your female fig with the pollen of a male fig of your choosing, you could also potentially prove that the seedling is your intellectual property.

2. If you find a seedling in the wild, it is also acceptable to name the tree whatever you please. Again, it's a seedling and when we plant seeds or when birds plant seeds, they are genetically different than any other variety. 

However, I would suggest taking a photo of the tree to get more opinions on whether or not it is indeed a seedling. Sometimes trees are planted and a trained eye can usually tell the difference. Honesty is the best policy and if you present detailed information to other fig growers about the seedling you've found, serious fig hobbyists will have no problem accepting your seedling and the name you've given it.

Planted Trees:

If you find a planted tree, try to identify it first. Find out from the owner where it comes from. Was it purchased from a nursery? Is it from some other country? What’s the history of this tree? 

If it's from a nursery, identify it (that shouldn't be difficult) and keep the original name the nursery gave it. If it's from another country and it cannot be identified, feel free to name it whatever you please. If it can be identified, and it's not from a nursery, you should proceed carefully with a new name. There’s a fine line.

Your reputation as a fig grower can be tarnished. After repeated offenses, other growers will start to believe that you’re causing too many issues for new fig growers (adding to the confusion) or you’re naming fig varieties to promote hype around your variety. 

The politics of fig trees is crazy. 

These days, I think it's fine to name a fig variety whatever you like, but you should do your research first. Remember that new fig growers will need to learn the name you choose. Make it easy by picking a name related to its origin or appearance. For example, avoid naming another Hardy Chicago unless it's truly unique. Instead, consider adding a moniker, like "Fred's Celeste," to indicate the source and reduce confusion.

Here’s why:

• Not every fig synonym is identical and we have no way of knowing if they are or are not identical.

• Well… that’s not exactly true. Yes, genetic testing fig varieties is an option, but that’s expensive.

• There’s also the concern of accuracy. From my understanding, genetic testing doesn’t describe epigenetic differences, a credible theory of why synonyms may appear different.

What is Epigenetics in Fig Trees?

Like identical twins, figs with the same genetics can show differences due to epigenetics. Epigenetics is like a light dimmer or switch for genes, influenced by environment, habits, and lifestyle. This means genes can be turned on, off, or somewhere in between. Identical twins, for example, may develop differently if raised in separate environments, or even show some differences if raised together, due to these subtle genetic changes.

Another credible theory as to why synonyms may appear different is mutation. Will a mutated fig variety show a different genetic code than the original variety it mutated from? I believe so, but I’m not a geneticist.

How Can Figs Mutate?

Branches and even single buds on fig trees can mutate into something called a chimera.

Chimeras occur when a cell mutates, either spontaneously or due to irradiation or chemical treatment. If this mutation happens near the top of the growing point, all new cells from that point will carry the mutation. Simply propagate and stabilize the mutated plant material and you have what should be considered a whole new fig variety.

Below you'll find a video of Barbillone: a black-skinned mutation of White Marseilles. The mutation turned the skin dark!

Trialing & Testing Fig Varieties 

Mutations and epigenetic changes in fig trees are important, fun, and interesting, and those theories may not be the answer to the observable differences growers may see when comparing synonyms.

However, it's worthwhile to trial fig varieties that are genetically or observably similar. At the time of writing it’s 2024, and I am testing 15 different Celeste figs to compare their traits side by side, and to date, I’ve also tested well over 30 Hardy Chicago varieties for comparison purposes.

Some may say it’s a waste of time, money, or energy, but these observable differences exist and if I can find a superior strain of Celeste, I would feel really good about that.

For example, English Brown Turkey figs are generally not the tastiest and often split in humid climates, absorbing water into their skin that inevitably ruins the fruit. However, not all English Brown Turkey figs are exactly the same. As I’ve said earlier: maybe some mutations or epigenetic differences can be observed. 

In fact, some growers in the Northeast prefer a variety called Fehmarn because it splits less and performs better in the rain compared to other English Brown Turkey varieties.

These observable differences can be applied to many other types of figs. For instance, "The One" has a hang time of only 1-2 days, which is much shorter than any other Celeste I've grown. "Stallion," another Celeste, has a stronger berry flavor. Figs within each category can differ in growth rate, shape, skin, ripening periods, and many other traits.

Now you’re completely aware of the topic of synonyms within fig trees, the problems they create, how grouping them may help, and the observable differences there may be and could be worth exploring.

To learn more about the many fig varieties, I would highly recommend visiting the variety directory, here.