It seems there are a good number of 'fig families'. That is, the same or very similar fig that seems to have several names. It would seem that having just one or two examples within these various groups would suffice for a fig 'grower' such as myself, as opposed to a fig 'collector'. I've found it frustrating after seeking or buying a fig to find out it's the same or very similar to one I already have.

These are the groups I know about, and I could be wrong about some of them, and certainly have missed others. Any additions and/or corrections are welcome. This is intended to 'simplify the search', not to be definitive. :)

The Sicilian Red family - figs that are the same/very similar-
Sal's Corleone
Palermo Red
Sicilian Red
Panevino Dark
Aldo
Weeping Black

The Chicago Hardy family- (Mt Etna types?)
Sal's EL
Gino's Black
Chicago Hardy
Portuguese Black
MBVS
Tacoma Violet*

The Verte family-
Batagglia green
Adriatic
Strawberry Verte
CalVert

The VdB family-
Violette de Bordeaux
Negronne
Petite Negri
Vista
Aubique Petite*
Beers Black*
Valle Calde* 
Valle Negra*

*Honey figs- (thanks PHD)
Latarrulla (Italian Honey)
St Anthony
Marseilles white

*Edit:  Any names with an asterisk* has been added from suggestions in posts below. Thanks.

**Also see post #4 below for more families.

You can add Aubique Petite to the Bordeaux group and Tacoma Violet to the Chicago. Not saying that those grouped types are all synonyms (they are not), just similar and sources of confusion.

Gina,
 Don't forget the "Honey Types"  a few examples below
  
 Latarrulla (Italian Honey)
 St Anthony
 Marseilles white
 
  Pete  

Add Beers Black, Valle Calde and Valle Negra to VdB family

There's Black Madeira style figs...
Black Madeira
I-258
Black Tuscan?
Socorro Black?

Barnisotte Family
Barnisotte
Barbentane
White Barnisotte

Malta Family:
Celeste
Hollier
Black Celeste
Improved Celeste
O'Rouke
Scott's Black (late?)
Mega Celeste is not of this family

Black Mission family
various strains labeled Black Mission

Col de Dame family
white
black
grey
various strains of each

Thank you.

I would add Fico Preto to the Black Madeira family.

Forgot Panache goes under Col de Dame family...

What about Mission?  It belongs somewhere, actually probably Vista goes with Mission and Beers Black.

Edit:  oops!  Didn't see post #4.  Mission is in it's own game!

UcDavis did dna testing on a few and showed how closely related some are.
So many figs are similar .



Scroll to page 6 and use the tools to zoom in
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/391-301.pdf

Wow Martin!  That is an amazing chart!  I had to blow it up 150% to even read it!  It's a little confusing, and seems like they have blacks, greens and whites in the same groups.
Suzi

Gina....

What a perfect idea to group similar varieties together.  This is great information.  Now, looking for that special, difficult to find, "Figue du Jour" might not be such a problem...because ... there are substitutes.

I am not a fig variety collector, but I would bet, and bet big money, that a * blind, taste-test... within each grouping, would have many guessing what fig they are tasting.   And, I bet the tasters would be surprised also.

Again, great information.  Wish there was a way to store these listings of similar varieties in a reference section so that members can see what figs can substitute for one another, and keep adding varieties to the separate groups...and maybe some comments...for example: "closed eye, resists souring",  or,..."splits in rain"..."not too hardy"...etc.



* "blind taste test" = The "tasters" are blindfolded, can't touch the fig with fingers- (eat the fig off a tooth-pick)...but ..."tasters" would be told what varieties they will be sampling.  Object...correctly identify the fig variety by TASTE only.  My prediction:...most "tasters" would do poorly.

Thanks Gina, et al. for the useful information.

Frank

There's a better genetic map pdf, in a paper that focuses exclusively on the genetic mapping.  

Here's one:

Heres another:

Those are tiny charts!  Any chance you could post a link, Ruben? 

I did learn something from the UC Davis PDF, and it has nothing to do with this subject.  BRIX!  To every wine maker, BRIX is King!  So, my mission is now to gather together figs with the highest Brix!  Brix means Sugar Content.  I'm adding Orphan and St. Jean (already had St. Jean on 2012 order from UCD), but Orphan has nice high brix too!  I've got plans for Dauphine too, if I can squeeze that one in.  Also high Brix!

I can't wait for the day I have so many high Brix ripe figs that I can make Fig Wine! 

Suzi

LOL, Suzi! Make sure you take note of the "Sp" associated with some of those high-brix variatals. Dauphine, among others is a San Pedro-type. 

Have you tried using the zoom feature on the lower right corner of your IE browser?

I grow Orphan and it is a very good fig. Last year when most of my trees had souring fruit from the record breaking rain we were having Orphan came through with a few nice fruits. Good size and good taste. Send me a pm in the fall and I will send you scion.

Here is the link to the UCD DNA Analysis:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/jux52506371p6612/fulltext.pdf

And here is the other:

http://galgoni.com/Main/ADN_1.jpg

Kadota
Dottato
Jurupa
Banana
Peter's Honey

I think these belong in a group... maybe with the honey figs.

Thanks a lot Gina and go4broek. Great work!

Ruben!  Fabulous links.  I use firefox, so not sure about any zoom feature!

Barry!  Thanks so much!!  This is where my excel spreadsheet comes in handy!  Wish list:  Orphan:  Barry promised cuttings in fall.  Need to PM!

:-)  Is November fall in your mind?  We don't get much fall here.  Either summer or rain.

Suzi

You can get Orphan cuttings from UC Davis, and it self pollinates.  I prefer to take BLB AKA Barry up on his kind offer since my UC Davis order is in for this year, and I don't want to put them to the trouble of revising it!

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=12871

I can't say enough about UC Davis and what a valuable resource they are!  I first ordered Vitis Vinifera AKA wine grapes from them, and still do.  They have so much to offer, and their offerings are free, minus shipping.

Suzi