Fig tree

The fig tree, a plant of the mulberry family (Moraceae), is a deciduous shrub or small tree that was originally native to southwest Asia. In the meantime, Ficus carica is cultivated in the Mediterranean region, occasionally also in regions of Central Europe with mild winters.

The broad, ovate or roundish leaves are 10-20 cm long, usually 3 to 5-lobed. The leaf is rough on the upper side, softly hairy on the underside.

The flowers are very small. The fig produces 3 generations of inflorescences per year. These ripen in February/March, May/June, August/September. The fruits (fig) are short-stalked, greenish, brownish or purple, elongated or pear-shaped. Botanically exact, it is a pseudo or false fruit in which a multitude of drupes are enclosed in the fleshy tissue of the inflorescence.

50% invert sugar, fat, organic acids, proteins, enzymes and the vitamins A,B,C,D

Ficus carica is the parent plant of Carica fructus (officially in EB6, Ph.Helv. 7), the dried fruit (with the drupes).

The whole plant carries a latex, which in connection with UV rays can lead to photodermatitis (fig dermatitis). The latex contains a protease (ficin), which is activated by cysteine, similar to bromelain or papain.

1. Burger A et al (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 7th Edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York p. 545