Hi,  I am lookig for any info on the fig listed in Jon's database as Nero - I am getting cuttings of that from Encanto.   The database lists synonyms as Barnisotte, Brogiotto Noire, Brogiotto Nero, and Ishia Black.  Possibly Bourjasotte Noire as well.  Nero obviously is a pretty generic name, 'black', and I am sure that many figs have been called that in the past.  Looking for topics on these figs, I find some info here:  
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/brogiotto-nero-5698646?pid=1272139073#post1272139073 ,
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/nero-5505577?pid=1270364762#post1270364762 ,
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/3-diferent-bourjassotte-noire-6330066?highlight=barnisotte&pid=1277907793#post1277907793 ,and
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/family-tree-help-needed-brogiotto-nero-5985962?pid=1274766748#post1274766748 . 
There are a lot of posts and pics of Barnisotte which seems quite different.  There seems to be some disagreement that these are all the same figs.

Is anyone growing the plain ol' 'Nero' from Encanto Farms, and what can you tell me about it?  Is it at all hardy after a few seasons?  Productive?  Quality?

Thanks!

bump

One more time thru the forum to see if anyone is growing this variety, sorry if this is a PITA for you to see it again.

Ed,

I saw the thread the moment you posted it. I think it is an interesting question.
Wish I can help you.

To add to the confusion, I have an Italiano Nero.

If nothing else, just go with the flow and keep it as such, 'Nero".
But I do hope you get the answer you are looking for soon. I am just as interested.

Good luck

Nero=Negro=Black, that's not a true name...just a Type not a Variety,  very misleading, and unfair.

I have 4 unk. Italian Neros given to me by old timers who swear they are the best figs there is and theirs is the one I should grow. 

The figs are all common figs and very different from each other.  The only thing the figs share is that they grow well, 2 are prolific with 2 crops and they all produce delicious figs.

I have tried comparing them to the common names/descriptions/fruit and leaf photos and even posted a couple here but have yet to get any matches. 

Now I am working on acquiring as many known black figs that I can so that I can grow them side by side and find their match.   At some point if I can't match them then I would like to name them but not sure how I would go about doing that?

The point of my long winded post is that this fig in question is likely an unk. Italian black fig. 
I assume if it was a portugese fig they would have called call it preto, if it was Spanish they would have called it negra if it was French it would have been called noir.  Sorry I don't know how to say black in Greek, Turkish ...

At some pont someone will have to do a detailed comparison and find its match or come up with a name?
 

Thanks for the responses folks.

I guess next year I have to order Barnisotte, Brogiotto Noire, Brogiotto Nero, Ischia Black, and Bourjasotte Noire so I can grow them all side by side.  I'll put in a special request to Jon so I can conduct this vital research :)


(most important question is really - is it a great fig?)

there is one and only Ischia Black. and that's from USDA/UCD. not sure if the one that jon has is from USDA/UCD or richard w. you can put in order to USDA/UCD.. waiting might be little longer. 

Ed,
I have only ran into 1 fig that I would say was not a great fig.  The reason for that was that it required a hot climate to fully ripen the fig.   So it was not great for me but it was great for someone in the right climate zone.
IMO if the fig was no good then no one will grow it and it wouldn't be for sale. 

I agree.maybe not great...but at least good enough to enjoy eating

I actually bought cuttings for Nero from Jon, # 607. Is that the same one you got?

Ed, I love Jon's database of names and pictures.  And Jon is my dear friend, however, I know Barnisotte, Nero, Brogiotto Nero, and Ishia Black are not the same fig.  I have each of these.  All 4 of mine came from different sources:  Durio Nursery, Reads, JF&E, and UC Davis.  Just because Jon has it listed in his web page as one thing, doesn't hold a candle to proof.  As a common fig, all 4 of mine taste completely different.  SOme sweeter and richer than others.  Jon's figs have been caprified which COULD be why they are listed as the same.  However, I will never believe it.  And some of Jon's photos are wrong too.  (sorry Jon :) ) But it's the best we have online for reference.  And I also do not agree with the DNA testing that was completed by UCD. 

As for Bourjasotte Noire, I should have information on it this summer.

cheers!

Christy - I am to receive Nero, as a replacement from my list of alternates I sent Jon.   My confirmation invoice said:    607    B  Nero   SUB 3022
So I am not sure if I am getting #607, or getting #3022 in substitution for it.  Anyway, should be the same?  Good that at least a couple of us are trialing it.

Dennis - I am not certain that the Nero you got from JF&E (listed there as Nero) or Durio's (listed there as synonym for Barnisotte or Brogiotto Nero)  or UCD or where ever will be the same as the one Jon lists - who knows?

Yes, I think that it does not take much time poking around Jon's database to realize, as useful as it is, that it has it's limits.  He is recording a lot of things that others have stated about the fig varieties, not all from his own experience or direct comparison.  When he says in the database that Nero, Brogiotto Nero, Barnsiotte etc are synonyms, he is stating that someone somewhere has reported that.  Jon needs a clone or 2 to have time to work on it and update it.  Or he needs to get a few experienced forummers to help out on it.

Re: UCD DNA testing, all those tests show is whether there are significant similarities between the DNA of different varieties.   They are not testing the DNA to see if it is identical, they are selecting a number of loci or segments within the DNA and showing those to be the same or different.  If their test shows that varieties share those segments, it means those varieties are related but does not prove they are identical since they did not test all the DNA.  Look at it like comparing 100 pages out of 2 books.  If the books were 103 pages and the 100 pages you checked were identical, then the chances are good that the books are identical.  But if the books each have 10,000 pages and have different authors, covers, locations, publishers, and you only checked 100 pages of each, you could not say they are identical.

Thanks Ed.  I will agree that those figs are related.  But I would never use a synonym and say they are the same fig.  To me, it just doesn't seem right.  Synonyms for those 4 or 5 is just too confusing.  If you taste one Black Ischia, you will know its not anywhere close in flavor and taste to Nero.  Nero is excellent but last year, my Nero figs were not rich tasting but had a strong tangy very sweet taste.   As for my tree sources, I'll keep the tags on the trees.  Each tag already states where it came from.  Plus I will grow them all side by side for more verification.   I'm not saying my trees are true to their name, but at least I know where they came from.  I can always contact the source down the road if they turn up as something else --which has happened to me twice now.  For example---Almost Eden had both Improved Celeste and O"Rourke for sale 2 years ago.  I ordered 4 each.  My order came in but one O'Rourke was not true to its name.  The leaf patterns did not match the others but it did match the Improved Celeste I ordered.  I called Jon at AE and told him about the mistake.  He removed his remaining O"Rourkes from his web site and sent me a replacement tree.  Mistakes do happen and I am glad we have this forum to help comment on figs and their sources.  HOW BOUT THOSE FIGS!!!!!

 I'll post pics and leaf pattern for you this summer if it will help.