Ficus palmata 'Ice Box'

[Charlie Dodgson]

Although 'Ice Box' is referred to as a caprifig, technically it is a male fig since Ficus palmata is dioecious. This is unlike Ficus carica, where caprifig ≠ male fig.

In temperature climates such as my southern California 10B, 'Ice Box' and other male F. palmata produce syconia year-round, without any real distinction of crops. Certainly more are produced during bursts of warmer weather which occur off and on all year.

Every syconia contains a viable amount of stamens and pollen. It is visited by B. psenes but not fully colonized. Here's a photo from 2019:


Click for original

 

[GoodFriendMike]

I did not know you still had this variety. I am growing this one now as well to later breed. I find it odd that you used the unequal symbol for Ficus Carica Capri. When both Carica and Palmata Capri have male and female flowers in the syconia.

 

[Charlie Dodgson]

@"GoodFriendMike"#9 
My understanding is that male Ficus palmata syconia have male stamen, sterile short-style ova for wasp concubine, and no long-style ova for reproduction. In contrast, female F. palmata have both ova types and of course no stamens. For this reason, geneticists designate F. palmata as dioecious. In contrast, caprifig refers to hermaphrodite F. carica that produce male stamen and both ova types.

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@"GoodFriendMike"#9 
"I did not know you still had this variety"

Yes, in fact I had it sequenced along with female 'N1'. When the DNA libraries are complete (probably next year) I'll pass them along to other collectors.

 

[GoodFriendMike]

I have not yet held a Ficus Palmata Capri syconia in my hand. But photo's I have seen show both male and female flowers in the syconia. I will update more when mine produce. If you could. Post photos of the syconia.  From your tree. Inside and out.

 

[Charlie Dodgson]

@"GoodFriendMike"#9 
Yes, there are infertile short-style ova in syconia of male F. palmata to provide concubine for B. psenes. However, my understanding is there are no long-style ova in their syconia. I'm interested in learning whether this is false.