The World of Figs: An Overview

The genus Ficus of the Moraceae family, comprises about 800 species and is considered one of the largest genera among angiosperms. The initial part of this review is focused on the importance of figs, not only from an ecological point of view but also for the benefits that they still bring to the populations of the regions in which they thrive. Due to their extraordinary diversity, figs constitute an important reservoir of biodiversity in most of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and play a primary role in the conservation of ecosystems. In these areas, many fig species are a vital resource for ethnic and local communities, being used not only for food but also for health, cultural and religious purposes. An ethnobotanical knowledge of figs can contribute to the expansion of national strategies for sustainable development and offers indications that help in defining and promoting the preservation of native biodiversity. To better illustrate these and other aspects covered in this review, the results of studies offering useful data have been reported. The numerous Ficus species grown for their ornamental value as landscape plants or for interior decoration are also mentioned. A large part of this paper is devoted to F. carica, the only species of the genus with a Mediterranean diffusion, and to the origin of the cultivated fig evolved through the domestication process. The morphological characteristics of the plant and its reproductive system are described with the aid of photographs, giving prominence to the specific symbiotic relationship between the fig tree and its pollinator wasp, B. psenes. The cultivated fig is of very ancient origin and the review cites aspects of its importance for the Mediterranean world, both past and present. Scientific research in recent years has rediscovered the importance of this fruit tree emphasizing the potential contribution it can offer to the nutritional needs of modern society and to sustainable agricultural systems based on biodiversity.