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Ficus carica 'Marseille'

Previously known as:

  • Ficus carica 'White Genoa'
Phonetic Spelling
FY-kus KAIR-ih-kuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Introduced from France,  'Marseille' is a  deciduous shrub or small tree that was brought over to the US by Thomas Jefferson and is rumored to be his favorite fig.   This fig does well in the warm winters of the south, it will need protection in colder climates. 

Plant it in full sun to partial shade in acidic to neutral, well-drained, moist soils.  This fig has It has a vigorous shoot growth rate and fruit production.   It produces on new wood so can be pruned back to maintain its shape in early spring.  Its unassuming green-yellow colored fruit keeps the birds from noticing the fruit before you do. 

It can be grown in a container, planted in a mixed border, courtyard, children's, cottage, or patio garden, or espaliered along a fence.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Generally insect and disease-free.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Ficus carica.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#deciduous#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#espalier#mixed borders#upright form#fast growing#non-showy flowers#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#deciduous#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#espalier#mixed borders#upright form#fast growing#non-showy flowers#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ficus
    Species:
    carica
    Family:
    Moraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Insects, wasps and birds eat the fruit
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The medium-sized, round to oblate fruit has greenish-yellow to white skin with rose-colored flesh. It is small sweet and rich. Fair quality and works well fresh, dried or stewed.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Round to pear-shaped, short-necked, green-yellow to almost white with a center of rose seedy flesh. Prolific producer with fruit ripening in late July and sometimes a second crop during a hot summer.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are unisexual (self-fertile) and minute appearing in the summer. Borne in leaf axils within a hollow receptacle that enlarges to form the fruit.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rough
    Smooth
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leathery green leaves palmately veined are large and thick. They are dark green and fuzzy on top and lighter green on the bottom. It is usually three to five sinuses lobed.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Silver gray smooth bark becomes more bumpy with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    New leaves bud out in early spring.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Phytophotodermatitis from the white, milky sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Furanocoumarins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Sap/Juice