Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Ficus carica ‘Brown from Provence’

A cultivar of Ficus carica L. There are a number of figs describe as brown, usually with a specific epithet such as ‘Naples’ or ‘Malta’, but not ‘Provence’, ‘Marseille’ or similar as far as I can ascertain.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Brown Naples’, also known as ‘Murrey’, or ‘Round Naples’ is used as an example here. ‘Fruit pretty large, of a globular figure. Skin light brown, with some faint marks of dirty white. Pulp nearly of the same colour as the skin, and of a good flavour. Seeds large. Ripe the latter end of August.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.165/1831]. ‘Brown Turkey’ also has the synonym ‘Brown Naples’. [See ‘Small blue from Provence’].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [Fig no.3/1843]. Probably collected by John Macarthur on his tour of Europe with sons James and William in 1815-16.

Notes

Published Apr 24, 2010 - 02:03 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2011 - 03:13 PM

6 figs are illustrated, all pear-shaped, the skin colour varying from pale yellow to purple. Pomona Britannica pl.74, 1812.

Ficus carica: varieties of White Fig | PB pl.74/1812. The fig 'Brown Naples' is at left centre.

 

Family Moraceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, unknown

Synonyms
Common Name

Edible Fig

Name in the Camden Park Record

Brown from ditto [Provence]

Confidence level low