Fishinjunky
Well-known member
I was curious how many species of edible figs there are.
This is from ChatGBT
There are over 750 species of fig trees (Ficus genus), but only a few dozen produce figs that are widely considered edible and palatable for humans.
Approximate number:
30–50 fig species are known to produce edible fruits, though some are more commonly eaten than others.
Not all are cultivated commercially — many are wild species eaten locally or used in traditional medicine.
Here’s a list of some of the most commonly eaten fig species around the world, including both cultivated and wild varieties that are locally consumed:
---
Most Commonly Eaten Fig Species
1. Ficus carica – Common Fig
Origin: Mediterranean and Western Asia
Use: Fresh, dried, jam, baking, religious/cultural significance
Most widely cultivated edible fig
---
2. Ficus sycomorus – Sycamore Fig
Origin: Africa and the Middle East
Use: Traditional food in Egypt and parts of Africa
Note: Cultivated since ancient times
---
3. Ficus racemosa – Cluster Fig / Indian Fig / Goolar
Origin: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
Use: Eaten raw or cooked, used in Ayurvedic medicine
---
4. Ficus hispida – Hairy Fig / Opposite-leaved Fig
Origin: Tropical Asia
Use: Fruits and leaves used in traditional medicine; fruits cooked or pickled
---
5. Ficus auriculata – Elephant Ear Fig / Roxburgh Fig
Origin: South and Southeast Asia
Use: Large fruits eaten fresh or cooked; also used medicinally
---
6. Ficus religiosa – Sacred Fig / Peepal Tree
Origin: Indian subcontinent
Use: Fruits sometimes eaten, but more revered for religious importance than as food
---
7. Ficus deltoidea – Mistletoe Fig
Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia)
Use: Fruits eaten fresh; also used as herbal tea or medicine
---
8. Ficus septica – Hauili / Septic Fig
Origin: Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands
Use: Occasionally consumed; used in folk remedies
---
9. Ficus nota – Tibig (Philippines)
Origin: Philippines
Use: Soft figs used in local cuisine, sometimes cooked with sugar
--
10. Ficus tikoua – Creeping Fig
Origin: China and Southeast Asia
Use: Some varieties eaten locally
This is from ChatGBT
There are over 750 species of fig trees (Ficus genus), but only a few dozen produce figs that are widely considered edible and palatable for humans.
Approximate number:
30–50 fig species are known to produce edible fruits, though some are more commonly eaten than others.
Not all are cultivated commercially — many are wild species eaten locally or used in traditional medicine.
Here’s a list of some of the most commonly eaten fig species around the world, including both cultivated and wild varieties that are locally consumed:
---
Most Commonly Eaten Fig Species1. Ficus carica – Common Fig
Origin: Mediterranean and Western Asia
Use: Fresh, dried, jam, baking, religious/cultural significance
Most widely cultivated edible fig
---
2. Ficus sycomorus – Sycamore Fig
Origin: Africa and the Middle East
Use: Traditional food in Egypt and parts of Africa
Note: Cultivated since ancient times
---
3. Ficus racemosa – Cluster Fig / Indian Fig / Goolar
Origin: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
Use: Eaten raw or cooked, used in Ayurvedic medicine
---
4. Ficus hispida – Hairy Fig / Opposite-leaved Fig
Origin: Tropical Asia
Use: Fruits and leaves used in traditional medicine; fruits cooked or pickled
---
5. Ficus auriculata – Elephant Ear Fig / Roxburgh Fig
Origin: South and Southeast Asia
Use: Large fruits eaten fresh or cooked; also used medicinally
---
6. Ficus religiosa – Sacred Fig / Peepal Tree
Origin: Indian subcontinent
Use: Fruits sometimes eaten, but more revered for religious importance than as food
---
7. Ficus deltoidea – Mistletoe Fig
Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia)
Use: Fruits eaten fresh; also used as herbal tea or medicine
---
8. Ficus septica – Hauili / Septic Fig
Origin: Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands
Use: Occasionally consumed; used in folk remedies
---
9. Ficus nota – Tibig (Philippines)
Origin: Philippines
Use: Soft figs used in local cuisine, sometimes cooked with sugar
--
10. Ficus tikoua – Creeping Fig
Origin: China and Southeast Asia
Use: Some varieties eaten locally
