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Ficus carica 'Celeste'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
FY-kus KAIR-ih-kuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This multi-branched shrub is one of the most frequently grown figs. It is pest and disease resistant but needs winter protection as it often sustains cold injury in the southeastern United States. It is heat tolerant and self-pollinating.

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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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#fruit tree#showy fruits#figs#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#fruit tree#showy fruits#figs#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis
  • 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 small to medium-sized fruit is sweet like sugar with a smooth rich flavor. The outside skin is purplish-bronze to light brown and the flesh is rose-colored. When ripens in July, it is a "closed eye" that helps resist insects entering the fruit and spoilage. It is good for eating fresh.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 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:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Purplish-bronze to light brown teardrop-shaped fruit with soft flesh. It is very sweet and delicious, though it has a short shelf-life. Starts to set fruit in July. Fruits develop without the need for cross-pollination.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are unisexual and minute. Borne in leaf axils.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Smooth
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The bright dark green leaves are large, thick and rough. The leaves are 5-10 inches long and 4-7 inches across and can be up to 1 foot in length. It is usually deeply, palmately lobed with three to five sinuses lobed. The upper surface is green and rough with hairs and the underside is paler and smooth.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    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