Please Identify "Anna's Unknown" -

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cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1407863895 I know that many of you are sensitive about haphazardly naming figs. I have temporarily given my unknown the name "Anna's" because it was my mother's tree that I grew up with. I am guessing that this is a common fig that you kind folks will be able to identify. Here are some details about the background of the tree. My parents and most of the older generation in my family have already crossed over. Of the two remaining uncles who might know about this tree, one told me it was started from the tree at my grandmother's home in Fresno, while the other said my mom got it from "the fig guy" - some friend of the family who had a lot of plants from the old country. So, this fig tree either came from my family's farm in Sicily OR from a fig vendor. The other possibility is that my parents got a mature fig tree from somewhere because this tree was planted when I was 2 years old and I don't ever remember it being small. I used to climb it as a kid. Regardless of the source, the parent tree is now 40 years old and very large. It lives a few blocks from the ocean in Dana Point, CA. I have six that I started from cuttings 2 years ago. I put one in the ground this spring. It was three feet tall then. It is now 7+ feet tall. I haven't tasted figs from the parent tree for about 10 years. The only other figs I have eaten are store bought Black Mission and Brown Turkey. Those are the only fresh figs I have to compare to. I will try to give my amateur review of how this fig tastes, but it tastes exactly how it looks: I gave half of this fig to my 11 year old son. He put it in his mouth and his eyes lit up and he said, "strawberry jam"! Aside from the jamminess, it has a light crunch. I'm not a wine aficionado, but I could have sworn I got a little port wine after punch. The skin is not terribly thick, but it was a little papery. The figs on the parent tree are normally 50% bigger than this one. What else can I tell you? Any guesses? I have a lot more photos of each of the trees as well as a ripe breba and some unripe that got knocked off. Please let me know if there is anything else I can reveal to help identify this one. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and knowledge.
Ampersand Registered: 1389979527 Posts: 728	1407864038 Just from the strawberry jam comment and appearance (I've been researching a lot lately, no personal experience) I'd nominate Green Ischia/Verte.
armando93223 Registered: 1318984112 Posts: 1,164	1407866196 My strawberry verte leaves dont look like this. My Jarupa leaves are similar...but I believe Jarupa is a complex taste not berry...... I would guess White Genoa..??? Hopefully you have something pretty special.
Rewton Registered: 1291943117 Posts: 1,946	1407866578 Conadria? See this entry for Conadria and compare the leaf shape to yours: http://figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Conadria.html
DesertDance Registered: 1247674606 Posts: 4,518	1407874136 The leaf, the fig inside and out is a ringer for my Verte. Suzi
gorgi Registered: 1188888396 Posts: 2,864	1407874721 The fruit somewhat looks like Stella, but the leaf does not (Stella leaves are more narrow & finger-like).
greg88 Registered: 1359498953 Posts: 800	1407875098 [QUOTE=gorgi]The fruit somewhat looks like Stella, but the leaf does not (Stella leaves are more narrow & finger-like).[/QUOTE] I agree, leaves are not narrow and fingerlike, like Stella
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1407875470 [QUOTE=Rewton]Conadria? See this entry for Conadria and compare the leaf shape to yours: http://figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Conadria.html[/QUOTE] The inside of the Conadria looks tighter to me... smaller petioles (is that the right term?) packed tightly together. Also, the leaf I posted is pretty typical of the mature tree. The leaves of the Conadria are more deeply lobed. Well, I started a couple Conadria this year, so I guess I'll be able to compare some day.
armando93223 Registered: 1318984112 Posts: 1,164	1407875808 Its not a Conadria, they aren't strawberry in flavor. Also I like that you said Unknown........Maybe, I will name one after me....LOL
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1407877970 [QUOTE=DesertDance]The leaf, the fig inside and out is a ringer for my Verte. Suzi[/QUOTE] I've seen pictures of your verte. I immediately thought it looked just like mine. Not sure how many figs look similar to these.
rafed Registered: 1252876934 Posts: 5,308	1407882050 Paul From what I understand, there are several strains of Kadota. And I believe Kadotas are popular there in Cali. Try looking into those. Never know? Good luck
rcantor Registered: 1309799312 Posts: 5,727	1407883732 I say send me cuttings and I'll compare it to all of my trees :) Kadota isn't generally as red as this on the inside, even in Ca. And Ischia green is usually more red. I don't think it's Hardy Chicago, either :)
mgginva Registered: 1320266925 Posts: 1,857	1407898806 I think it might be Battaglia Green. Your leaf is not exact but with only one to look at it's hard to know for sure. I don't have a picture of leaves and it's dark and rainy. While I was looking for a picture of Battaglia Green I ran across a few others (certainly not all) with a close color match so for fun I added them.
mgginva Registered: 1320266925 Posts: 1,857	1407898978 ooops 1 more ooops I also did JH Adriatic 2x as I did not notice because they were different years. My little fig photo library isn't very well organized.
ascpete Registered: 1336096379 Posts: 1,942	1407901709 Paul, I would guess Desert King if not Conadria. Good Luck. A few more leaf pictures and one of the tree with visible leaf shapes may help. <edit> 08/13 Desert King... http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7031475 http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6971584
mgginva Registered: 1320266925 Posts: 1,857	1407901848 It is definitely not Conadria. I don't know about DK. I'll look at mine in the AM.
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1407914531 Even though this fig is very reddish, it might not be representative of the mature crop. As I mentioned before, mature tree makes fruits about 50% bigger. Also, I remember them being much more white on the inside - not quite as white as the Brooklyn White. My uncle who thinks it came from "the fig guy" only called it an "Italian white". Is it still too soon to identify? Meanwhile, here are some more pics:
jdsfrance Registered: 1376988473 Posts: 2,591	1407942121 Hi cyberfarmer, Can you get pics of the mother tree ? The genral growth habit of the tree and color of the mature bark could help ... You're in Zone10, do you know if that strain needs the wasp ? Does it fruit twice or is it unifera ? Do you remember if the maincrop (if any) would drop ? Do the figs dry well or easily ?
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1407942721 [QUOTE=jdsfrance]Hi cyberfarmer, Can you get pics of the mother tree ? The genral growth habit of the tree and color of the mature bark could help ... You're in Zone10, do you know if that strain needs the wasp ? Does it fruit twice or is it unifera ? Do you remember if the maincrop (if any) would drop ? Do the figs dry well or easily ?[/QUOTE] The mother tree is an hour away from here, and for me, that's far. I've already bugged the current property owners a couple times for cuttings. I'm afraid that they're going to think I'm stalking them. If it helps, the mother tree is upright. Probably 10 or 12 feet tall. Bark is light colored and smooth. I have no idea if the tree needs the wasp. We have the wasp here, so wouldn't know if it was missing. It produces both breba and main crops. Neither crop drops. I have never tried drying the figs. However, my mom dried her own raisins and prunes, ground her own flour, grew her tomatoes and canned sauce, made my clothes... I never saw her dry a fig. So, I'd say that if they could have been dried, she would have dried some.
dcfromsocal Registered: 1380428721 Posts: 90	1408081857 Paul, Beautiful tree and wonderful family history with it! Is the name "Anna" already taken for a fig? If not, this Fig with it's story/history could be a real contender - though I don't know the correct process to patent a plant (if that's even possible) if it turns out to be a unique variety :) This is a HUGE post - but Paul's my buddy & this is a wonderful fig :) Trying to put my finger on what this "Anna's Unknown" fig could be: Really nice delicate smooth curves to some of those leaves! And prolific - a fruit above each leaf - Nice! I would not think Conadria since those came from University of California Riverside as an Adriatic-hybrid and have much lighter flesh and honeydew melon/canteloupe flavor to me. The Conadria leaves I've seen are quite different than "Anna's Unknown" as well. A Kadota-variation (Italy) could be possible but I've never heard of a Strawberry flavor in Kadota nor interior as red as "Anna's Unknown". Granted there are many factors that determine how the fruit looks and tastes in it's given environment. I'll also note that the Kadota and White Kadota leaf pictures I see on Figs4Fun 'Varieties' page aren't typical to the Kadotas we're growing and have seen (very common in Southern CA). Examples: Kadota from local Nursery (large brebas!): Kadota from good ol' Home Depot (no fruit to sample yet): Kadota California Unknown: Lots of variations out there, just trying to show how similar some of the leaves can be, but your fig's interior color and taste makes me think it can't be Kadota. So here's "Anna's Unknown" again: I think the 'strawberry jam' flavor description is leading many to think it's "Green Ischia/Verte" (island of Ischia being off the coast of Italy) and it may taste similar to Green Ischia, but to my eye the Green Ischia we're growing here have more "jagged" edges to the leaves. (These trees haven't fruited yet so I can't compare them to "Anna's Unknown") Green Ischia/Verte examples 1 & 2: Here's a UCD Green Ischia/Verte example: Closer yet, 'Peter's Honey' (also actually from Sicily!) has similar leaves to "Anna's Unknown" and though as it's been pointed out, the interior fruit color could vary in "red-ness" based on breba or main crop and a whole slew of other variables. The Peter's Honey I've tasted have more sweet "honey" flavor and no real sign of strawberry, though the last one I picked had real watermelon flavor! But I suppose that doesn't mean anything - again: many varying factors determine how the fruit looks and tastes. Our Peter's Honey leaf looks basically like this: Our recent Peter's Honey (not even close to "Anna's Unknown", right?): But I've harvested Peter's Honey that were as light inside as this one: We're growing a White Genoa (Italy) that has smooth-edged leaves shaped similar to "Anna's Unknown" and it has fruit with a reddish interior as well but haven't tasted a ripe one yet - squirrels keep beating me to it! Our White Genoa leaf basically looks like this (this is White Genoa from Encanto Farms): But pics of White Genoa fruit from Dave Wilson Nursery seem to have a reddish inside: An example from Richard Watts' collection also shows a semi-red inside, but UCDavis' website show one with yellow inside (confusing!) In fact, I think our Peter's Honey & White Genoa have similar leaves to each other and they somewhat have the shape and smooth edge's like "Anna's Unknown" as well as similar growing patterns here, yet neither are quite exactly like it! The search continues. . . So far my BEST GUESS is. . . "Peter's Strawberry" (possibly Sicilian) See more pics of fruit & leaves here: http://www.figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Peters_Strawberry.html "Peter's Strawberry" was a fig Jon of Encanto Farms Nursery acquired and was told it was Peter's Honey, but when it fruited the inside was red! So he dubbed it "Peter's Strawberry" - not much else known about it other than it could be Sicilian and similar to your "Anna's Unknown" in leaf, fruit, and possibly taste. Side Note - Also, see this "Sicilian White California" for a very similar leaf to "Anna's Unknown": Your fig may be somewhere in there with Peter's Strawberry and Sicilian White California (whatever those actually are!) Regardless, "Anna's Unknown" is one fine specimen, Paul - You are fortunate to have it as your "Family Fig"! Once again, reposting these pics for easier side-by side comparison: "Anna's Unknown" & "Peter's Strawberry": "Anna's Unknown" & "Peter's Strawberry": Also a close match - "Anna's Unknown" leaf & "Sicilian White California" leaf: Jon would be the source of any additional information about these two cultivars :) What do you think gang? Keep Growing, - Dave C. & Family - Temecula (Southern) CA - Zone 9b
mgginva Registered: 1320266925 Posts: 1,857	1408082080 Dave, What a nice thing to do for a friend. Also nice looking plants.
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1408086940 Wow Dave! Don't think I've ever seen such a detailed pictorial analysis! Funny thing is, this fig came off of YOUR TREE. It's the one I've been trying to give you since before you fell off the fig forum. So, I'm glad you're interested in it. The Kadota pics you posted look a lot like the parent tree. I don't remember the parent tree having a strawberry flavor and it was lighter color on the inside. Maybe in a few years this one will mellow out to look more like Kadota? Regardless of the parent looking more like Kadota, I think this leaf and fruit more closely resemble Green Ischia/Verte more than Kadota or Peter's Strawberry. The Sicilian White leaf looks like a good match to me. Also, there is the possibility that Uncle #1 is right. If that is the case, then that tree came from the farm where my mom grew up in Sicily (Realmonte, near Agrigento). She was born in '29 and left in '45, so the tree would have to be at least that old. I suppose it could be an unnamed variety. If Uncle #2 is right, then it at least came from a guy who knew his figs. If neither is right, it would be whatever the local nursery had. Thanks again for taking the time to investigate. Now come get your tree!
dcfromsocal Registered: 1380428721 Posts: 90	1408089575 Wow!!! Thank You! That is very generous - I'd be honored to have "Anna's Unknown"! I'll be officially adopted into the Fig Family now :) It's interesting trying to gather info on it ; I'm curious too! You're on the right track. Well whatever Fig it IS, it's a special, unique Fig that has a great history & great flavor and THAT's what counts! I'll see y'all in Fallbrook sooner than later (as I'm starting up the car - Ha!)
ascpete Registered: 1336096379 Posts: 1,942	1408110224 Paul, Compare your tree to the posted pictures of Desert King in CA. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283429026&postcount=13 They look very similar, leaves and figs.
cyberfarmer Registered: 1293483474 Posts: 544	1408113633 [QUOTE=ascpete]Paul, Compare your tree to the posted pictures of Desert King in CA. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283429026&postcount=13 They look very similar, leaves and figs.[/QUOTE] Wow, that looks very similar too. Will I ever know for sure what it is? I see subtle differences between similar varieties, but even within each variety I see a lot of diversity. I am growing Desert King and Kadota. So, if either of those are candidates, I will be able to compare them side by side.