Description

Not to be confused with the Pons variety of the same name, which is a honey fig. I’m not sure why GdM is still somewhat rare in the US. It’s been around for decades and a very good fig. This may be due to it not being very productive when young, but produces some fabulous figs when mature. Figs of younger trees tend to be on the light side, but mature trees produce figs approaching an Adriatic variety. Some have complained of splitting, but our figs have shown zero splitting. The flavor is great and handles the rain well.

Gota de Mel: (syn. Gota de Goma). Names signify “honey-drop” and “gum-drop”; figs when ripening exude a sugary syrup from the eye. This variety, received at Riverside in 1926 from Lérida, Spain, is distinct from Fraga (Col de Dame) and others in the collection; no description under the above names has been found.

Tree moderately vigorous, with branches swollen at the nodes; terminal buds green. Leaves medium, somewhat glossy above, mostly 3-lobed; upper sinuses shallow; base subcordate to truncate; margins crenate. Description is from figs produced at Riverside, Los Angeles, and Fresno.

Breba crop small; fruits elongated-pyriform, with neck over 1 inch long; stalk 1/4 inch long; ribs fairly prominent; eye medium, open; color green; pulp light strawberry; flavor rich; eating quality good. Of no commercial value, on account of light crop and elongated shape.

Second-crop figs medium to large, up to 2-1/4 inches long and 2 inches broad, pyriform, with thick, prominent neck that is often curved; average weight 40 grams; stalk thick, up to 1/4 inch long, constricted at its insertion with the thick neck; ribs prominent, well elevated; eye medium, open; surface dull; white flecks large, scattered; color green; skin checking at maturity, as shown by Condit (1941a, fig. 8, E); pulp light strawberry; flavor rather strong; quality fair.

Caprified figs similar in size and shape, but with dark-red pulp. Variety of no particular value, on account of discoloration of skin at maturity and susceptibility to splitting and insect infestation. (Plate 22, C.) See also Condit (1941a, fig. 2, Q.)

Fig Varieties: A Monograph by Ira J. Condit