I recently rooted cuttings of the Native Black fig. It is an Italian Heirloom fig from Louisiana....that's all I know about it at present.

Dan

It may be an old Heirloom (smuggled) fig... but (sorry to say)
there is no, no, no fig (Ficus carica; aka., common fig)
that is 'truly native' to anywhere here in the USA. The only
other possible way, is that it was an outcome of breeding,
of other figs, either through a rare natural good chance or
by a very extensive/selective human experimentation.

More information from an earlier posting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Native Black Fig

I think I can provide as much information as is available about this variety. I'm sure the "Native" part of the name was nothing more than a nickname given to this variety by the Becnel Family who live in Belle Chasse, LA. They have been in the wholesale nursery business for a very long time.

The Becnel family is credited with bringing the Smith variety into the trade. The story goes that Smith was found growing on Saxon and Thomas Becnel's grandfather's farm. Saxon and Thomas are in their 60's and 70's, so we are talking a long time ago. Around the first of April of this year I drove down to Belle Chasse and spent a couple hours visiting with Saxon Becnel and touring his nursery operation and fig orchards. A few weeks later I spoke with Tommy Becnel, nephew of Saxon and son of Thomas. I was told that "Native Black" is a fig that was also found growing on the elder Becnel's farm at the same time Smith was found. The Becnel family has been growing it ever since. It just hasn't gotten as much "exposure" as Smith. That's the history for this variety, and it's likely there won't ever be any more - as it is for Smith.

I have a couple third year trees which are just now producing their first main crop figs. Each tree produced a bumper crop of brebas but dropped all but two figs which look like they will ripen soon. I hope when the trees are more mature they might hold more of the breba crop. They have produced a limited main crop (I pruned quite a bit), and I look forward to tasting them. Is spite of the fact I was told by Tommy Becnel that this fig has amber pulp I believe it will have red pulp (based on how red the eye is). I understand this isn't a reliable indicator, but I can't imagine a "non-red" center with an eye this red. Also, the fig appears NOT to darken in color early (like VdB does). Also, it was evident in my conversation with Tommy that he was not really into figs. When I asked about the pulp color he was clearly unsure of his answer.

I'll post pictures of ripe figs later.

Henry

A knowledgeable fig enthusiast who worked with Dr. O'Rourke during the LSU fig breeding program told me that Native Black was an Italian heirloom fig brought by immigrants into the New Orleans/ Belle Chase area. As Henry indicated, it was brought into the retail trade by Saxon Becnel Nursey. There are many other 'heirloom' figs in Louisiana left to be re-discovered. Louisiana was/is a melting pot of many cultures and many of the arriving immigrants brought their favorite fig cuttings with them when they settled down here years ago. I am on a mission to find some of these heirloom figs.

Robin's Sicilian Black is also an Italian Heirloom fig; but, James Robin brought it into the retail trade. I personally traced this fig's heritage and can tell you for certain that it came from Sicily to New Jersey.....from New Jersey to El Paso, Texas...from El Paso to J. Robin via a lady who lived in Metairie, La. It has no direct lineage to Belleclare Nursery. Hence, it it very very doubtful it is either of the BC nursery Sal named figs. It is an Italian Heirloom black fig from Sicily..........hence Sicilian Black AKA Robin's Sicilian Black.

Re the Texas Native Black fig.......Saxon Becnel moved/expanded a portion of his wholesale nursery operations from Belle Chase, La. over to Texas. Don't know if Texas Native Black is the same as Native Black. If the identification tag indicates the tree was propagated by Saxon Becnel; then, I would conclude that it is the same as the Louisiana Heirloom fig.

Dan

Kingwood....one other thing. I have many varieties of figs in my collection and not one of these varieties has the light pink leaf stems like my Native Black fig tree.

Dan

Henry,
Is this the same fig that you sent cuttings of recently? They rooted for me, so I'm quite pleased -- many thanks!

Thanks for the info. Purchased the Texas variety and it does not have light pink leaf stems, so it is different from the LA variety. Will have to purchase the LA variety and compare the fruit.

The Native Black fig that is sold in Texas is definitely the same fig that was "discovered" growing on the elder Becnel's farm (along with Smith) many decades ago.

However, you will not see anything on the tag about having been propagated by Saxon Becnel. According to what I've been told this cultivar is being propagated by a different branch of the Becnel family and sold by (among other possible wholesale nurseries) Brazos Citrus Nursery. I'm not comfortable posting everything I was told by various members of the Becnel family, but suffice it to say that Saxon Becnel & Sons and Thomas Becnel Citrus Farm, Inc. (and other possible Becnel corporate entities) operate independent of one another - even though they are in the same business.

Gene,

I emailed you through the GW system. Let me know if you don't get it.

Any nurseries on the NW part of Houston (Hwy 290) that might have this Native Black fig? My wife is there visiting and maybe she can go by there.
Thanks for any help!

A few weeks ago I had seen some at Wabash Feed store on Washington Ave near Memorial Park. When I went back last week, I purchased the last one they had. Don't know of any others that may have it. You may try calling the local nurseries. One to check is JRN nursery. They purchase trees from the local propagator (Brazos Citrus). Good luck

Thank you kingwood!

Joshua's and Buchannon's both do business with Brazos Citrus. Buchannon's in particular will special order from Brazos. Try either of them. Yadda out.