Have you ever eaten a fig? If so, you can count yourself among countless generations of people who have consumed the fruit, which owes its notoriety to its prominence in the Bible. As it is commonly assumed that most of the Biblical stories have their roots in exotic Middle Eastern and Asian lands, to have figured into said stories, the edible fig had to have been a hardy and drought-tolerant plant. The fig is estimated to have been consumed by humans for at least 7,000 years. For its longstanding title as one of the world’s most fabled and chronicled trees, the Common fig (also known as the edible fig, the Ficus carica and the fig tree) is this week’s Plant of the Week.

The Common fig tree, which has been classified as both a tree and a shrub of significant height, is found in many regions blessed enough to be in Mediterranean climates, including the Middle East, California and Greece. On average, the fig tree is no taller than 30 feet, though it can grow taller. The leaves of the fig tree are hairy and can be inches, or even around a foot in length. The distinctive fig, which is the fruit of the fig tree, is generally no larger than 2 or 3 inches in length and is recognized for its interesting shade of purple, green and brown. The fruit itself has a very subtle taste, and the flesh of the fruit is generally soft and malleable when ready to be eaten. Small seeds are posited throughout the inner flesh of the fruit.

The fig tree makes for a lovely landscaping accoutrement, and is known for its hardiness and ability to be drought-tolerant. The fig thrives in warmer climates and the growth of the fruits can even be disrupted with the incidence of rain. According to some agriculture experts, the fig is not only highly salt tolerant, but it can also survive temperature of around 400 degrees Celsius. Over a million tons of figs are estimated to be produced and consumed each year. Once the fig tree has been established, some experts recommend watering the fig tree no more than once a week or once every two weeks, depending on climate.

Many people enjoy reaping the “fruits” of figgy labor in gastrointestinal adventures. The fig itself can be eaten raw as a delicacy. More often, the fig is the key ingredient in such desserts as Fig Newtons and in dried and candied figs, which are noticeably sweeter than the fruit itself.

For its fascinating history, singular construction and tolerance of generally hot and unfriendly temperatures, the fig tree is this week’s Plant of the Week!