Here is the quote from:The fig: its history, culture, and curing, with a descriptive catalogue of the known varieties of figs (1901)
The only certain instance of male flowers having been found in an
edible fig in California is that which I am about to mention.
In July, 1893, I found a box of figs in the market of San Francisco,
marked as having come from Cordelia, in Solano Countj^ containing
very large yellow figs, a size larger than our lai'gest Adriatic. Upon
opening these figs I found eveiy one with a fully developed zone of
male flowei-s, fully ripe, and with an abundant, perfectly' developed
pollen. In other respects the figs resembled very much the Italian
Gentile, which is now also growing in California in various localities.
These figs belonged to a distinct variety and were propagated as table
figSj though the dry zone of male flowers greatly detracted from the
quality of the fig. The fig was juicy and very sweet. It is not
impossible that this fig is identical Avith the Croisic fig described by
Solms-Laubach, and that it was brought here by settlers from Croisic,
in France.
It may be stated that both myself and Mr. E. W. Maslin, of Cali-
fornia, have raised seedlings of Smyrna figs. Some of those raised
by the latter came to partial maturity at least, and contained male
flowers in greater or lesser abundance. Such figs, however, must l)e
considered as improved caprifigs — improved by being raised fi-om
seed of Smyrna figs. The Cordelia and Croisic figs are probably
descendants from the male caprifig, having retained the male flowers,
while they also have developed sweetness and juiciness to a greater
degree than their wild parents. It is hardly to be expected that these
figs will develop perfect seeds without the aid of the Blastophaga, as
it is probable that they, as other figs, will bring their male and female
flowers to perfection at widely different times; in other words, that
when their female flowers will be receptive their male flowers will
not yet have developed their pollen.