I am writing to see if you know of a few varieties of figs my grandparents talk about from the area around Monte Di Procida, outside of Naples, Italy. In there neapolitan dialect they call these figs Turriane, Velumbria, and the third is called Figa Natalina (unsure of correct spelling).  The Figa Natalina fruited during Christmas time in Italy. Does anyone know what there correct names are or have heard of them? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

Turriane, the closest thing I've heard of is Troiano:


Natalina or Natalino, is the same fig. I haven't heard of the others.

never heard of Velumbria.

Ciao,  these are the correct names most likely, Italy has had a long history of growing figs and the names are generally correct what they call them. Alot of times the figs may be called something different just in another province or regione. I don't know the Napolitan dialect, I am Abruzzese, I would imagine the Troiano is one you are talking  about.  I am familiar with Fico Natalina, I have one and yes, in Italy they do produce around Christmas time hence the name Natalina, for Natale in Italian meaning Christmas.  Natalina is very common in the Area you are talking about along with the region of Puglia.  Okay, Ciao

Thank you guys for your responses.  Do either of you know where I can get these trees, either in pots or cuttings?

Also, my grandparents want to plant some other varieties, one white and one red, in my yard in Brooklyn, NY (zone 7) to go along with the three fig tree we already have. They remember figs when they were little that were very big and sweet and thats what they would like to plant in the yard. Do you have any recommendations of large, sweet figs for my zone?

Thanks again

I wouldn't grow Natalina in our area since they ripen around christmas. I have the Shtawi from Lebanon that bears around Christmas but I can only get the fruit to ripen if it's grown in the greenhouse.
Not sure where you can get these figs in this country.

Now I wonder why will Grimo Nut nursery sell Natalina in Canada with short and relatively cold summers if it ripens in Italy by Christmas. I bought one plant last year from Grimo and I will know this year (or next) if it ripens anything here in Ottawa before the frost.

Grimo  Nut's Natalina is essentially a Celeste, judging by the one I have.

The Lebanese Shtawi does bear in San Diego, and ripen between Christmas and Easter. Fruit sets around October 1st.

>>> Grimo Nut's Natalina is essentially a Celeste, judging by the one I have.
 
Great!
 
First I hear that my (Grimo) Ficazzana is just an Italian Honey,
and now this!
 
I have both. Down with Grimo...

Very interesting. I have Ficazzana(Grimo) and a Verte(Grimo). The Verte seems to exhibit droopy branches like the weeping fig. It has brebas now & will find out by late July whether it is actually a Verte. I will compare my Lattarula & Ficazzana closely - both have brebas.

Here's a fig that's called Di Natale.  By the look of the leaves, it seems like a late variety.  

Okay, this is an interesting bit of information.  I had acquired a Natalina from a friend here on the forum in 2008 fall/winter.  I found out that he acquired his Natalina from Grimo nursery.  Is what I have maybe really a Celeste,  this interests me because I had been wanting a Celeste fig for a while now and just recently ordered one from Ebay.  The tree was so badly packed, all the leaves were wilted when I received it in the box, I was very upset and I really don't think it will make it. A true waste of almost 20.00$  But, my Natalina is growing very well after it rooted last year.  Might be nice if the natalina really is a celeste, it could replace this celeste I purchased from ebay. I will never order from ebay again unless I know who it is for sure and trust the person selling the figs.  Who else thinks that the Natalina from Grimo is really a celeste?  I know from experience that the Natalina fig ripens later, in Italy. I know natalina is a small fruit.  I don't have much experience with the Celeste. What are other characteristics they share which could distinguish them.   Leave shape? fruit ect.  Wonder why Grimo may have mixed these up by accident? on purpose.  Just wonder because I have one or the other growing well outside now, and my ebay Celeste is hanging on by not even a thread.  Ciao

I would not rely on Grimo for a true Celeste! Specially after 2 out of 3 figs
that I bought may be mis-named; plus one came with a serious problem.
There are tons of Celeste (variant) figs out there, not sure which is the
TRUE one. Jon, did collect some Celeste figs (including my old Tiny one)
for an experimental comparision.

My guess is that the UCD one SHOULD be true (mine is still small)...

Italiangirl,

I have a very large Celeste tree. If you want lots of cuttings or a sucker (if there is one), you are more than welcome to it. A fellow forum member should never have to pay for a Celeste!

Los lunas,  You have email.  Ciao!

Nice size tree Jose and also hats off to you for doing that!
Grilling today, i have a small brisket and ribs going as i type this on the Brinkman Pitmaster.