I am on the south east coast of Australia. Edible figs grow well in this climate which is similar to their native, mediteraniun one. Because I have not seen this fig in any of the hundreds shown on the internet, I am wondering if it may have been brought here by one of the first settlers...on a ship. I believe there was a French connection. This beautiful fig is surely the ultimate in fruit, in taste and appearance. It has the same qualities as any of the best named European Fig varieties Its' purple rind is very distinctive. Figs have never been popular in Australia but they are becoming so, now. I have sold many at the local markets...but not this one. I plan to do so. I doubt it would be a seedling as there are not many fig trees in the town. Also, what would the purple rind parent be? Thanks for your interest.

I meant to ask what 'brebas' are?

The inside looks very much like my Lampeira, a fig from Portugal, brought to California a century ago. Different leaves though.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, your fig appears to be almost identical to mine- perhaps not quite as round, with paler little 'starlets' at the bottom. Id' like to see your leaves. It's a mystery how a fig from Portugal a century ago could come to Australia, also, maybe that long ago. Its good to have a name for my fig (or a close relative to it).

Your fig is the only other I've seen, that looks so similar to the Lampeira. Perhaps they are related.

Brebas are figs that form early in the spring on last year's branches.

I did a little reading and learned that the caprifigs and the pollinator wasp were introduced to NSW over 100 years ago. And that dried figs were an important crop until the 1950's in some areas. So it is possible you have an old selection made from a seedling. Test the seeds for fertility by dropping some in water, if they sink they have been pollinated and you will know that the wasp is still in your area.

I also saw this on eBay, no interior pictures but the exterior looks very similar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-x-Tree-cuttings-BLACK-FIG-From-PORTUGAL-TRES-NO-PRATO-/251847824995?hash=item3aa34cd663:g:28cAAOSwPcVVi14e

Yes, my fig has Brebas. Thanks for the interesting information, but any figs first grown commercially in Australia would have been grown inland, many hundreds of miles from the coast. That far back, there were only a few houses at South Heads, Moruya (wherethe original tree was found). I doubt it would be a seedling.

I was looking at the figs this morning and saw some black, tiny pollinator wasps. Figs are so fascinating, aren't they? I see, in the photo of leaves kindly sent by pennington_gary, that the leaves on his tree are quite different to mine.

Thanks for your interest but I don't know if your quarentine laws would allow me to send plant material from Australia, especially from fruit trees. But if allowed, I could do so.

kindredna, it is the breba figs that I posted a photo of. The Lampeira that I have produces 2 crops. The second (main) crop is excellent also, but not quite as colorful as the brebas. Also, your tree has what are called 'mulberry leaves', as figs are related to mulberries, and some have the single leaf, many times on the same tree. I also have Tres um Prato, another Portuguese variety, but it has not yet fruited. Thanks to hoosierbanana for pointing it out as a possibility.

I'm a bit confused. Is pennington_gary saying that his Lampeira fig has two crops; that the illustration is of the first (breba) crop and that it differs from the 2nd crop? One would assume that fruit on a tree would be identical in characteristics, from both crops. Mine is. I am eating them off the tree and particularly noticed how deep purple the inside pulp is. The figs don't all ripen at the same time. One or two seem to 'baloon' overnight. Maybe due to a scarcity of water. It gets very dry here and I have been trying hard to give the tree at least 5 litres daily.

Will contact you re sending some cuttings, rosinagutierrez.

Yes kindredna, pictured are the brebas. The second crop differs in color, not as vibrant and purple. Not all figs produce brebas, and some can have very different shapes and characteristics between the crops. Here is a photo of a main crop Lampeira.

hi kindrena, your fig very pretty, i never seen in my country (Indonesia), would u sell some cuttings to me? this is my email microgenus@gmail.com

Thanks pennington_gary for setting me straight about brebas. Most unusual for one variety to have two different types of fruit!

I can only remember my fig ever having distinctive dark purple rind on both crops (when it was able to have two crops) Never anything like your last photo. The photographs are of the second crop which was successful after good summer rain. The first, spring crop withered and fell off when the tree was stressed from lack of water and very hot, humid weather. All fruit trees will drop their fruit with in sufficient water for the fruit to develop. We often go many weeks without rain, here and I feel sorry for the trees which need it for their fruit. Can you tell me if it's permitted to send cuttings to Mexico and Indonesia from Australia? I see where a permit is needed for the USA.

Do you still have some cuttings of this tree for sale, or are you interested in trading?

I'd have some cuttings if you live in Australia. After the good season the tree had a good crop of figs but then we had no rain for months and the remaining figs withered and fell off, even though I tried to carry buckets of water to it every day. It wasn't enough and our soil is like powdered sand. Figs are hardy but all fruit trees need adequate water when they are producing fruit.

Do you have an e-mail address where I can contact you to discuss this further in private? Or could you activate your inbox on this site? (Edit profile > advanced settings > privacy settings > who can message me)

Should I put 'T T' in 'who can message me or one of the other options? I won't send cuttings out of Australia.

Its shape and lobes remind me of "Blue Provence"

Hi T.T. My email address is buffcochin11@gmail.com

Thanks Michael. Will look for a photo of "Blue Province" (nice name).

Reminds me of this spanish fig tres.

Thats a JENNY SMITH BLUE fig tree and fruit. The leaves are the same grown in Denmark, Albany w. A. I have pictures of very similar fruit and leaves. I'll see if I can post later