Okay, this can be a hot topic or a fun one.  I think it is funny how some friends of different ethnic origins claim that figs originated in their country of origin.  We may have figs originated in every country of the world!! :)  It goes on further that when someone posts something about a particular fig, say, from Portugal that someone will chime in and say "that's the same as such and such as Italy", etc., seemingly claiming every good fig originated in Italy.  With figs propagating from seed so very easily (I discovered a seedling under my lemon tree and another in my shadehouse this year with no idea where they came from except I'm pretty sure they are of USA origin, haha), I believe most of these figs are similar but different.

I had previously read somewhere that figs are believed to have originated in western Asia and then spread to Greece and then southern Europe.  I can't find the source for this information now.  However, I found at http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/POW/Fig.htm that figs originated in Caria which is now part of Turkey.  See http://www.ancient.eu.com/image/253/ for a historical map of the region.  This seems to be pretty well accepted fact and the species name carica is derived from Caria.

Or, perhaps, on the eighth day God transported figs to Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Portugal, Italy, etc.??? :)

i've argued with people that think figs began in some jungle. they claim that because other ficus are jungle
plants so are figs. i maintain they split off so far in the past they can  be considered desert plants.

caria is as likely an origin point as any.

i have to say tho that figs that passed thru italy seem yummier than others.

Harvey,
Great links, thanks.

The story goes like:
Adam and Eve used them as underware and they saw the interest and started a company CARICA INC
with branches all over the world.
:)

Harvey thanks for the link

Possibly the oldest cultivated crop, but knowing for sure is impossible.

Mike in Hanover, VA

One source 

Most sources suggest western Asia, Southwest Asia, and the like. Not sure what the source was but one suggested central Asia, were the Mongols were.

Hi,
Most sources will say figs came from Afghanistan/Syria region .
What is sure, Jesus had some :) no one can deny that - so Palestine region !

By the way, do you know the origin of plums, apricots and peaches ( Hint: search for the Latin name of peaches)

Susieqz, I'm sure you misspelled Portugal !

Figs originated in San Diego and were first discovered there by the Germans right after they bombed Pearl Harbor.

Jon, Caria is western Asia.

jdsfrance, please show such a source as I came up empty when searching. Some individuals certainly make such claims but I find no independent scietific, etc. reports showing anything other than western Asia. Waynesworld also lists Caria.

Great tasting figs come from many different countries. No country honestly dominates as being a source for great-tasting figs. Pride in one's ethnic heritage can certainly dominate the perceptions of many figaholics, however!

Jesus didn't have then when he wanted them and so he cursed them... God hates figs... sad but true...Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14

Only unproductive figs....

Gloria,

He cursed it because it was a Brown Turkey.

Had it been an RDB, Black Maderia or A Brogiotto Bianco and the text would be entirely different.

HeHeHe.


Ok,
I'm Catholic and God gave me this sense of humor.;)

Been bad.

http://www.themill.com/work/geico-tree.aspx

http://www.archive.org/stream/figitshistorycu00conggoog#page/n25/mode/1up

   

Harvey, love the fact that you decided to bring up this topic.
if you compare this maphttp://www.ancient.eu.com/image/253/, which was the second site from the post #1, with the same map in bible , you'll be shocked what those lands used to be in ancient times ;)

Thanks, Sas, I recall reading that previously now that you bring it up (specifically the part of the spread of the fig to other countries).  Further down on the same page it says that the probably home of the fig industry is Western Asia where many other cultivated fruits originated.  Interesting reading, IMO. Thanks again.

Harvey - This is a great subject. Here's an interesting article in PDF format.

Beginnings of Fruit Growing in the Old World

• Daniel Zohary and
• Pinhas Spiegel-Roy

Science 31 January 1975: 319-327.

http://worldtracker.org/media/library/Science/Science%20Magazine/science%20magazine%201974-1975/root/data/Science%201974-1975/pdf/1975_v187_n4174/1739362.pdf

The fig tree Ficus Carica originated in the Mediterranean region, no doubt about that. The native Ficus of Iran and central asian countries seem to be of a slightly different species. The Phoenicians lived in the fertile valleys and the coast of western Asia nowadays Lebanon, Syrian coast, were responsible for spreading many plant varieties across the Mediterranean through their trades. They had colonies in northern Africa, Spain, Malta, Sicily, and other areas, and just like how the immigrants now brought fig cuttings and planted them in this country, they've done the same thing back then. 

Sas - that's an interesting article, thanks for posting it

Well it depends on how you define origins.  If you define origins as where a fig plant first put down roots then most of my fig plants had their origin at my house.  Thanks to JV and certain kind members here, of course  :)

Thanks, Sas, some great resources.

Bob, no, that's not what I'd consider to fit the scope of this thread. :)

Specifically, fossil records of fruit and leaves were found near Paris and Marseilles.  See page 298 (of the book, not electronic document) of https://archive.org/stream/origincultivate03candgoog#page/n315/mode/2up

Also, interesting to note that on page 297 it states that an argument exists for ancient existence of the fig in Italy but that the good cultivated varieties were of later introduction and came from Syria, Greece, and Asia Minor.  Don't tell Susie! ;)

harvey, sounds like propaganda to me......

You're right, they must have really originated in Madeira and Columbus brought them to Italy after a winter vacation. :)