Figs are an ancient food source belonging to the genus Ficus, which is part of the mulberry family, Moraceae. Figs do not grow on vines. The plant that produces the edible fig is a woody plant with a spreading form, distinguishing it from trailing or climbing plants like grapevines. This structure often leads to misunderstandings about its origin.
The Botanical Reality of Fig Growth
The common fig (Ficus carica) grows on a deciduous tree or a large shrub. These woody plants typically reach heights between 10 and 30 feet, developing a broad, spreading canopy. The bark is usually smooth and gray, often becoming gnarled with age, and the tree can live for nearly 200 years.
Fig trees are native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, thriving in climates with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Their large, deeply lobed leaves provide dense shade. The plant has a shallow, fibrous root system, which helps it tolerate moderate drought conditions.
What Exactly Is a Fig
The fig is not a fruit in the traditional sense, as it does not develop from a single ovary of a pollinated flower. Instead, it is a specialized, fleshy structure called a syconium, which is technically an inverted inflorescence. This unique structure is a hollow, pear-shaped receptacle with a small opening at the tip called the ostiole.
The tiny, unisexual flowers bloom and remain hidden inside this fleshy wall, lining its inner surface. After pollination, each of these flowers develops into a small, single-seeded true fruit, known as a drupelet or achene. When consuming a fig, a person eats the entire fleshy syconium, and the small, crunchy parts are these numerous individual seeds.
Why the Confusion Exists
The misconception that figs grow on vines likely stems from their commercial association with other dried fruits. Figs are often sold alongside raisins and currants, both products of grapevines. Consumers who only encounter the dried product often lack familiarity with the appearance of a fresh fig plant.
Historically, fig trees and grapevines were often cultivated together in the Mediterranean region. Ancient texts frequently referenced a man sitting “under his vine and under his fig tree,” symbolizing peace and prosperity. This cultural grouping, despite their different growth habits, may have reinforced the false impression of botanical similarity.