Ficus carica ‘Nerii’
A cultivar of Ficus carica L. ‘Fruit rather less than the Marseilles, and more long in shape. Skin pale greenish yellow. Pulp similar in colour to that of a pomegranate. It is much the richest of its species; and there is in its juice a slight degree of very delicate acid, which renders it peculiarly agreeable to most palates.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.167/1831].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘The Nerii Fig is also cultivated by Mr. Knight at Downton Castle, who has been so obliging as to furnish me with the above description, dated Sept. 23, 1830. He says, “It offers fruit very abundantly; but the whole falls off alike in the stove and in the open air; and it succeeds only in low temperature, under glass. I have obtained it, in high perfection, by bringing the fruit forward, till it was about one third grown, in the stove, and then removing the pots in which the plants grew to a conservatory.”’[George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.168/1831].
Notwithstanding the descriptions from Lindley and Knight, ‘Nerii’ is probably synonymous with ‘Green Ischia’ which see.
‘Nerii. See White Ischia. There is no fig bearing this name distinct from White Ischia; and the variety Mr. Knight introduced under that designation was the same. By the name “Nerii,” is intended the “Nero,” or Black Fig, of the Italians, and the variety Mr. Knight received under that name was evidently incorrect; the true Fico Nero being the Black Ischia, and not the White Ischia.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.76/1860].
History at Camden Park
Listed in an addendum to the 1857 catalogue [Fig no.11/1845].
Notes
Published Apr 24, 2010 - 02:46 PM | Last updated Jul 23, 2011 - 03:00 PM
Ficus carica ‘Green Ischia’ | PB pl.LXXV/1812 | BHL. 'Green Ischia' is the fig at top left. It is probably synonymous with 'Nerii'.
| Family | Moraceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, probably Italy |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Edible Fig |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Neri
|
| Confidence level | high |
