Wondering if anyone has any Knowledge of this variety. The only reference I can find is an old Aussie newspaper report from 1890 which says it was first imported in 1827. The largest importer of the time said he had imported tons of the variety from France. It  also suggests that it was the "best fig of the south of France". Given these claims, I find it a little surprising that it is not mentioned elsewhere . As it was apparently named after the "Goddess of War", I doubt it's a misspelling, but maybe it's a syn. I've collected extensively from Dunolly, the location referred to,  from very old plants, so I may have it, but need more description to id it. One very old, abandoned orchard there has 9 surviving trees and is the most likely location.
Thanks  Geoff

it's now called bellone instead of bellona 

 Bellone is a figure from Roman mythology , goddess of war of uncertain origin , identified with the Greek goddess Enyo .
SYN: SULTANA, FIG OF NICE ,BLACK NICE, NICE, ANTIBES
DESCRIPTION 
2 CROPS. Native of the region of Nice. A strong tree with leaves of type 3 in 5 profoundly cut lobes. This variety is characterized by its plentiful harvest of autumn fig, excellent dried, as jam, or fresh. The fresh harvest is interesting only for sale close by since it is easily damaged during handling and transport

Wow,
       thanks heaps. Obviously it was regarded highly as a dried fig back in the days. I'll try for more details under the syns. Anyone have this variety?
Geoff

It's on my list of figs I'd like to try someday. If I had cuttings I'd share them with you. 

It is the same as Sultane ?

This might help,

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.fig-baud.com/choixfiguiers.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools

Hi Geoffrey, this is Kausik from Adelaide. Is it possible to get some cuttings of this variety? I am willing to pay for the post. Thanks in advance.

Bill's Figs, in New Jersey lists "SULTANE".  Just posting a notice in case Sultane = Bellone = Ballona


Frank

I have a 2 year old "Noire de Bellone" from Brugmansia. I wonder if its the same? There are a couple figs on it hopefully they will ripen and if so will post some pics. I also have Sultane from Dany too so will compare them.

Thanks to some helpful folk on here, I've been able to discover more re Bellone and Sultane. It seems there are significant differences:

* They share no common syns:  Bellone - Bellona; Bellonne; Ficus carica Bellona Risso.
                                          
                                               Sultane - Sultana; Fig of Nice; Black Nice; Nice; Antibes; Grosse de Juillet; Dark Sultane; Noir de Juliet.
One modern source claims Bellone bifere as a syn. for Sultane.

*Trees/growth characteristics:    Bellone - strong tree, 16 feet, drooping branches, slow growing. Mid-late variety.
                                                Sultane - Upright with minimal suckering, fast growing. Fruits early. 

* Leaves:                                  Bellone - large, deeply 3-5 lobed.

                                                Sultane - '..big leaves of type 3 with 5 lobes,shallow..".

*Brebas :                                   Bellone - rare or none.

                                                Sultane - Two crops, very productive.

*Fruit:  Many similarities, but, Sultane is described as having a distinct pruinose bloom, whereas Bellone has no bloom. This distinction is clear in pics. For me, the most convincing distinction is that Bellone is easily damaged in handling and transport whereas Sultane has "skin unusually firm, resistant to injury', suggesting quite different skin textures.

As I can find no record of Sultane ever having been in Australia, I don't forsee any confusion in my qhest for our 'lost' Bellone.
Regards Geoff

Geoff-

Thanks for posting the findings of your further research.  All, and any information is helpful.


Frank