Fig Tree Marseillaise - Ficus carica

Ficus carica Marseillaise, Blanquette, Athens, or Couille de Pape, is an ancient, productive, and self-fertile variety adapted to the southern regions of France. This Fig tree is uniflorous, producing abundantly in a single harvest in August-September depending on sunlight. The fruits, with their thin yellow-green skin, relatively small size, pale pink juicy flesh, and sweet and fragrant flavor, are highly appreciated when eaten fresh, cooked in cuisine, or dried. The Fig is a summer fruit with many virtues and nutritional benefits. Its medium development and remarkable architectural structure, as well as its unique foliage, make the Marseillaise or Blanquette Fig tree a very decorative and charming bush. Plant in autumn-winter, frost-free (or in spring for colder regions).

Originally from regions with a warm temperate climate, ranging from the Mediterranean to Central Asia, the Fig tree belongs to the Moraceae family. Generally, it does not exceed three to four metres in height and has a fairly twisted trunk and a bushy habit. The deciduous leaves are rough and hairy, reaching up to 25 cm (10in) in length, and are divided into three to seven lobes with variable shapes. The underside of the leaf is velvety and shows prominent veins. The stems, leaves, and fruits contain a white latex that can be quite irritating. The wood, with its smooth gray bark, is soft, spongy, and hollow. The trailing roots of the fig tree are powerful.

There are two types: uniflorous varieties that produce a single abundant harvest, typically in early autumn, and biferous varieties that bear fruit twice a year, with figs appearing in the summer on last year's branches and figs developing normally in autumn on the current year's growth.

Among all the varieties of Fig tree, the Marseillaise Fig tree is a uniflorous variety that produces abundantly in a single harvest, in August-September depending on sunlight, fruits weighing around 30 to 40 g. Multiple harvests are required for the figs to be picked when fully ripe and enjoyed with maximum flavor. The Ficus carica Marseillaise is a self-fertile and parthenocarpic variety, allowing it to produce fruits without pollination. It does not require other fig trees and does not rely on the intervention of the fig wasp, the sole pollinating insect of the fig tree, which is too delicate to survive in cold climates.

Sun-ripened, figs can be eaten fresh, showcasing their full flavour and creaminess.The delicate and pronounced flavour of figs can be enhanced with honey. They also pair very well with sweet fruits like cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, and grapes. Among fruits for making jams, figs have a prominent place with their delicate and rich taste, offering a very sweet flavor. Rich in fibre, figs have laxative properties, and the seeds aid digestion. They are also rich in minerals, trace elements, and vitamin B. After harvest, to preserve the figs' aroma, it is not advisable to store them in the refrigerator as the skin can suffer from humidity and condensation.

The Fig tree is often considered one of the most beautiful fruit trees. Its unique foliage gives it an ornamental aspect and provides a beautiful shaded area, particularly pleasant during hot summer days. Plant the Fig tree sheltered by a wall to protect it from the cold during severe winters, with a south or southwest exposure, alongside the Pomegranate tree, the White Mulberry tree, and the Japanese Medlar in southern regions. In more northern areas, it can be associated with the Quince, Akebia quinata, and the Feijoa, which are also hardy and exotic. Consider its adult size when determining the planting distance. Although the roots do not cause damage to modern constructions, they can damage dry stone walls or those made with weak mortar, in the old-fashioned way.