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Ficus carica 'Magnolia'

Common Name(s):

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

Magnolia fig is an edible deciduous shrub cultivar in the Moraceae (mulberry) family.  One of the most commonly seen varieties in the southeastern United States with one of the largest fruits. Cold hardy down to 50 degrees, so provide winter protection or bring indoors in colder climates.

It is self-pollinating and grows well in containers.

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:
#deciduous#figs#non-showy flowers#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#figs#non-showy flowers#edible fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant
  • 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:
    This is probably the largest fig available on the market. The asymmetric fruit has a bronze skin and an amber flesh. Ripens from mid-July through August. Pick fruit as early as possible because of the open ostiole or it would split and turn sour easily. Magnolia is best suited for preserving.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 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:
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    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
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Dried
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The infructescence is a ripened receptacle (syconium), not an ovary, that forms in late summer or fall on new wood. The large, asymmetric fruit has a bronze skin and an amber flesh. Ripens from mid-July through August. 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:
    Magnolia Fig has minute, petalless flowers that are in the stem tip on the 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 green leaves are large and thick, are 5-10 inches long and 4-7 inches across and 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:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    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