Tam plant was acquired in October of 2008 .

I will admit that in my head - reflecting a lack of thinking (as sometimes happens) - I was mixing up the islands of Malta and Madeira! When I went to look for more photos of Madeira, I found a map pointing me to the error of my ways.

Martin,

Thanks for showing your grown-up Black Madeira

That is a very nice and robust tree. And it looks very prolific as well.
Think we are all lucky and happy growing this cultivar and its ancestors, Preto and Violeta.

Tam,

Thank you.

The name Black Madeira was ( I think) given to Figo Preto after it landed and rooted in California. The name is exclusive to America

In Madeira it is 'Figo Preto' as it is called over there. Nobody to my knowledge, in Madeira, knows the meaning of Black Madeira, neither relates this expression to a fig.

In southern Portugal this cultivar,  the father of Preto and BM is Violeta.

Note: Last year, eating with friends in a local restaurant run by a fellow from Madeira and tasting some local black Smyrnas for dessert, I asked him if he was aware of Black Madeira, the fig... He said that I was probably mixing up fish with figs, to what I asked why..
and he said that the only black madeira he was aware of, was the popular Madeira's scabbard, (which is black), the filets and roe are a delicacy and sell like hot cakes to his British clients.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cY56UlafLO0/Tr6oheqA-BI/AAAAAAAAJhI/6oX9uDV8DHo/s1600/3.JPG

Francisco
 

Martin: Thanks for sharing information about your Black Madeira. 

Francisco: Oh, ha ha...Black Madeira is a scary, long mouth fish with shark teeth in Madeira. Oh..Oh..Thanks for sharing very helpful information about Black Madeira, Francisco.

Best,
Tam

was looking at portugese figs.. and found this thread. how did i miss this thread? amazing figs :) 

Pete,

Thank you, It is always nice reading your comments on Aurora's figs and be assured I will tell her !

Francisco

Those are beautiful figs, this is a great thread with a lot of great info, thanks for bringing it back up. Francisco I can't wait to see what other fig pictures you have for us this year, you always have some of the best photos of figs. 

that black madeira looks like hairtail fish i used to eat in korea. lot of bone, and not much to eat, but taste really good.. if marinated and stewed. bit on the fishy side on smell. sea provide some much for the table. it's very concerning over fishing and pollution are so much issue on world seafood supply.