An example of the different reaction of a fig tree  on different ground (100 km from each other):

1. Gimont (32)
2. Moissac (82)
3. Douelle (46 my place)

http://goo.gl/maps/hGBxc

I assume that the trees were all grown from a common ancestor, so that they are clearly identical, genetically. Given that, it accords with my anecdotal experiences, and show why it is near impossible to identify a tree, even by fruit and leaves.

Oh, man, this has to be one of the *coolest* post here for a while...  I would normally think of the middle picture to be the genuine article.  There are very few yard images of BN around with especially dark leaves.

Does need to be said that these three are pretty far from the normal? orchard areas around Toulon.  This is rather far north and interior for any sort of commercial cultivation.

Just imagine if he threw in the Noire de Barbetane in the same comparison.  

How is the taste on the three?  I am guessing the soil in all three places is much different, and the climate as well?

Thanks for the photos. I love the look of any round, dark fig. Hopefully this year the taste too. :)

Even if it's near impossible to identify a fig tree, certain varieties are more easy to recognize, like Sultane because the leaves show the same drawing since the beginning and nearly 100% of the leaves are the same. La Marseillaise is also particular. La Ronde de Bordeaux as a lot of different variations but we can arrive to recognize it. If the trees have regular water and food, the leave are easier to recognize. if they  haven't, the leaves and the fruits change.

About the taste, it's different on my tree because they have enough water i guess. But anyway it's also good.

How about bordissot negra?

I don't have picture of this one (and i don't have the tree) but i will make picture in september of Burjassotte and Burjassotte Branco.
About the leaves, 3 different Ronde de Bordeaux :

This is my 1st year growing Bourjassotte Noire, my leaves look like this

I think you must wait for the fruit to be sure and the leaves are sometimes different on a young tree.

Your tree is maybe a Violette de Soliès and not a Bourjassotte Noire. Certain book said that the same varietie but it's not, if you look the leaves and the fruit, it's really diferent.

the image...

Identification is hopeless with figs.  That pretty much looks exactly like my Petite Negri fig leaves, and this image looks very much unlike the UCD Barnisotte leaves, which I associate to be a strain similar to Violette de Solliés.  The *only* way to tell is that Petite Negri figs divide from side to side, instead of from top to bottom.  Some Petite Negri brebas are turbinate like VdS.  The main season figs, however looks like a bit fatter Violette de Bordeaux with short stalks.

Violette de Bordeaux is easy to recognize with the leaves :