Smyrna fig
plant
Also known as: Calimyrna fig
Quick Summary
Smyrna figs
A cross-section of a Smyrna fig (Ficus carica). Each fig is pollinated by a fig wasp.
The Smyrna fig is a variety of fig (Ficus carica) that originally grew near Smyrna. A key characteristic of the Smyrna fig is that it requires caprification to set fruit. Caprification is a process involving the fig wasp, which pollinates the fig flowers.12
The fig plant itself is a bush or small tree native to an area stretching from Turkey to India. Figs are rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron, and have been a significant food source since ancient times.2
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