Is this a new Fig? Never heard of it just wondering if anyone had any info on it.

I was wondering if maybe it was the same as Preta? I'm glad you brought that up, Nelson. I've seen a spelling of Prato also, so I'm a little confused.

Hey Tim yes thats what I was wondering my self. If its the black Fig from Point Loma its Figo Preto .

There is Preta and Preto, both from Point Loma. Sue spelled it with an "o" and I misunderstood her as saying "a". Not even sure which is really correct at this point. We were both trying to interpret a sweet, quite elderly Portugueses lady, whose English is still pretty accented.

Don't know about Prata, unless one of us mis-typed it somewhere.

Thank you Jon if its the Round black Fig like the Black Madeira then the Correct spelling is " FIGO PRETO " .  Prata means Silver in Portuguese as in the Metal Silver.

So is it the consensus that Figo Preta and Black Madeira are probably the same fig?

Yes it is the Figo Preto not Preta or Prata based on Nelson's research and emails to me.

Matt, the Figo Preta you mention is misspelled and is the Preto.

It is similar in most ways (leaf shape, fruit, main crop, etc) to the Black Madeira only this tree ripened fruit earlier than Jon's by a good 2-3 weeks. The mother tree is also in a cooler climate being just a few blocks from the ocean vs Jon being further inland (warmer). The Black Madeira according to Jon needs a lot of heat units to ripen the fruit. So without more info or DNA testing, it's the Preto (but it sure looks like a Black Madeira to me).

You guys are all great and I appreciate all your hard work. Thanks for the clarification. Doesn't take much to confuse me!LOL

I sent Sue's link of the Point Loma figs to Madeira last summer to be viewed by a Horticulturist that is a Friend of my Grandfather. This was the information I got back from him from viewing the pictures of the figs and leaves.

Long Black Fig is Bêbera also known as Bêbera Preta or Abebereira.

Round White Fig - Branca Syn. " Figo Branco " said is more commonly called by its Synonym.

Round Black - Preto Syn. Figo Preto .

I am going t have to say "no", they are not the same. Point Loma is much cooler and much closer to the ocean the I am. I seriously doubt that Black Madeira would ripen at that location, at all. Figo Preto was definitely ripening under those conditions. Might be an "early" Black Madeira, or something else that is very similar. Taste is definitely similar. Maybe we'll end up naming it Improved Black Madeira.

Jon could the ocean breeze make figs ripen earlier? The reason I ask is because the town I was born in, In madeira is about 5-10 minute drive from the ocean our figs always ripen almost a month later than those that are near the Ocean, the same varieties will ripen earlier and are usually sweeter than those in my town but are usually a little smaller as well.

Another thing I have read in the Madeira Horticulture books is that the best Tasting Figo Preto is grown in Porto Moniz , Seixal & Ponta Delgada wich are all along the North West coast of the island where its relatively cooler than the south coast. So thats probably why it feels right at home in Point loma.

I don't thinik that I have ever seen a reference anywhere to figs ripening better in cooler climate near the water. If that worked, Seattle would be the fig capital of the world. So can't explain what happens on the Island. All the literature talks about the difficulty of growing figs at the coast in CA, and what varieties are suited to cooler, coastal climates.

Hey Jon its not just figs all fruit and vegetables produce earlier and better quality along the coast atleast on the northwest coast of Madeira it does. Not sure if it has to do wich richer soil or the fact that there are two different water currents on that coast.

Jon if I ever strike it rich I will take all the fig finatics on the forum on a cruise to Madeira so we can all investigate.

Nelson sign me up toboggan rides on me

Hey Sal sounds great lol It sure is a blast to go on those wicker Karts. Did you drink Poncha when you were there?

I did have a few beers to get that courage going lol I don't know if it was Poncha but my wife did have a drink which was a sweet type of rum. We also purchased 2 bottles of Madeira wine which we were able to enjoy at dinner very good I must say. I wish I was into figs at the time as I'm sure I could have gotten some cuttings I met and talked to some locals as we trekked back down the mountain very very friendly and a joy to talk to every home had beautiful flower veggie and fruit gardens I was there the end of April 2008 and till this day we dream of going back for a visit.
There was a big soccer match going on and the guys who guide the sled were in and out of the bar and were in a very festive mood if you know what I mean. It just added to the thrill
Sal

Sal, Poncha is a drink made with Rum & Honey and lemon Juice mixed well with a special wooden tool that looks like it has two gears, its great makes you sing and dance and sweat all at the same time.

Just added it to my things to do list when in Madeira. lol  but I'm serious I kind of got a journal set up on computer that i enter things i find interesting when reading about certain places I would like to visit or I've visited

Jon, not to beat a dead horse but could the age of the tree (40-50 years old) have anything to do with it ripeing fruit sooner?

Sue

It isn't a dead horse, just a bit of a mystery, so far. Sue, I doubt that age is the answer, but can't prove that. I wouldn't have expected someone to have grown a fig tree for years, or decades, in hopes that one day it would ripen sooner. My Black Madeira is 15+ years in the ground. Hopefully we will get a better handle on those trees this season - in their "native" Point Loma. It is possible that it is a mutation or different strain of Black Madeira which is characterized by earlier ripening. Just don't know, at this point. The one a Davis, which has been there quite a while, while ripening earlier than mine, also enjoys a much warmer fig climate, and was ripening when we were there, which was pretty much the end of the season, there (ending earlier because of the warmer climate).

Its interesting to read this thread.
I have ucdavis one and hopefully will be able to root the preto one in near future. If rooted, plants will be only several years apart in my lousy climate.
It will be fun to see how far apart if i get ripe figs they are from each other in my area and how they compare in taste to each other on my palate.
But those are some big ifs to get them to ripen in first place but im gonna give them my best shot. In a few years from me i hope to post something about my area and what they both are doing. In mean time this season i try to get UcDavis Madieira to do something this season time will tell. But i dont want to rush the summer thats for sure  and i hope its a long one unlike last season here.
Best Health

Martin I agree thats why im going to root both side by side so they are the same age and see the differences between both.