Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- FY-kus KAIR-ih-kuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Brown Turkey' is a cultivar fig in the Moraceae (fig) family. This deciduous small tree or large shrub is one of the most popular figs grown in the United States with two fruit harvests each year. Grows to a mature size of 10 to 30 feet tall and wide quickly with a broad crown of large deeply lobed rough leaves.
Grow figs in full sun to partial shade in rich, well-drained moist soils that are neutral to alkaline. Figs to not tolerate acidic soils. Light pruning each winter may be necessary to maintain an attractive shape. Mulch roots to maintain moisture and especially in the fall to protect them thought the winter. 'Brown Turkey' requires protection like cold frames or plastic sheeting when the temperature drops below 10°F which is lower than the species of this plant which needs protection at temperatures below 15°F.
This plant is self-pollinating so no need for multiple plants. It produces two crops of its delicious edible figs one in the late spring to early summer and the second in the late summer to early fall.
Consider planting against a south or west wall or fence to take advantage of radiant heat or in other areas protected of the landscape especially if you are zone 5-7. Espalier against a wall or fence makes more easy harvesting. Plant it as a specimen and keep it close to a patio to more easily enjoy the fruit harvest and the interesting winter form. This plant grows well in containers but containers must be overwintered indoors.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, root knot nematodes, and spidermites are occasional problems. Blight, leaf spot and rust are occasional diseases. Fruit drop on hardscape surfaces can be messy. The leaves and sap can irritate the skin.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ficus
- Species:
- carica
- Family:
- Moraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Mediterranean to Central Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides food source for birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
- Edibility:
- The mild and sweet fruit is good eaten fresh or dried.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Small fruit ripens in July with purple bronze skin and pink pulp, tastes mild and sweet.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flower is not visible as it blooms inside a hollow receptacles that form near the end of branches in leaf axils. The flowers small, green, and form in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Rough
- Smooth
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- 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:
- Large, thick, green leaves are 5-10 inches long and 4-7 inches across and deeply, palmately lobed with three or five lobes. The upper surface is green and rough with hairs and the underside is paler and smooth. Yellow to brown fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Silver gray smooth bark becomes more bumpy with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bats
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Salt
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Messy
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses