Ficus or Fig? Fig or Ficus?
Question from Jess:
- You’re my heroine and I love your work.
- What IS the difference between Fig & Ficus?? The two words are so often interchanged in text and all explinations I read seem to never clearly answer the question. I also find that every experienced gardener I ask has the same question. I figured if anyone could ever answer this question clearly, it would be you.
Thank you for making my love of gardening continually educational!
Answer from Pat:
You are absolutely correct in noticing that the words fig and ficus are interchangeable—they are—, nonetheless, there is a difference between the two words. The word “Ficus” is the botanical name, while the word “fig” is the common name of a large genus of plants that includes 800 individual species of tropical and subtropical plants of diverse growing habits most of which have milky sap. The most familiar fig is the edible fig tree (Ficus carica).
The correct method to list or designate plants is to place the common name first, followed by the italicized botanical name in parenthesis. The reason for botanical names is that when the botanical name is used there is no chance of confusion, for example no chance of getting the wrong plant or in being misunderstood regarding which plant is being referred to in text. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclature Common names, on the other hand, are often incorrectly used or perhaps several plants have the same or similar common name, thus resulting in confusion. One common name might be used for entirely different plants in different countries. Botanical names, on the other hand, are agreed upon internationally by designated teams of taxonomists (experts in the naming and classifications of plants.)
When writing a botanical name, the first letter of the genus should be capitalized while the species is written in lower case. (I do not italicize the botanical names of plants in this email because my email service does not easily permit italix.) In the following examples, the first name (in this case Ficus) is the name of the genus and the second name is the name of the specific species. Among other fig (or ficus) plants that you are undoubtedly familiar with are rubber tree (Ficus elastica), the giant or Indian banyan tree (F. benghalensis), the sacred bo tree (F. religiosa), Benjamin tree or weeping fig (F. benjamina), Moreton Bay fig (F. macrophylla), fiddleleaf fig (F. lyrata), creeping fig (F. pumila), and rustyleaf fig (F. rubiginosa.)
If one were writing a paragraph about any of the plants above you could correctly say things like “this fig tree” or “as with all ficus species”. So you see in common parlance either word works and when used this way neither one needs to be capitalized.
Thanks for thinking of me as your heroine and for your confidence in my ability to explain things in a clear manner. I hope I have succeeded while answering this specific question.
Oh my gloriousness, your brain is amazing!!! That makes perfect sense and if it was possible, I adore you more! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! I am a Midwestener who moved to Southern California two years ago and I luckily found a career in gardening with an AMAZING company. It’s a company thing to say, “WWPWD”? (What Would Pat Welsh Do?) When none of us had an answer to the Fig vs. Ficus question, someone said, “Ask Pat!”. I’m BEYOND excited you replied and even more excited for a legitimate and understandable answer! I do believe I love you 🙂 Thank you SO much!!!!
I am delighted you found a good job with an amazing company, thrilled to hear about WWPWD (Ha-ha!), and more than thrilled to have all that love tossed my way. I need all the good thoughts I can get since I am in the midst of a big job, working gratis heading a restoration project for the Del Mar Library Multi-Media Mural. All that positive energy of good thoughts helps bring in another influx of support I need to accomplish all I need to do. Thanks!
I’ll send you so many good loves!!! I play in the dirt all day so I have a lot of happy stored up to send you! The AMAZING company I work for (www.dirtygirlorganiclandcare.com) is headed by a super solid woman who said to me in the beginning (when I was a novice with nothing more than a thirst for gardening), “Pat Welsh, get any and all of her books. She’ll teach you everything you need to know.” Since I adore my boss beyond belief I did as I was told and in the process fell in double love. Love you for your amazing way of explaining things and I love my boss more for knowing I’d love you. :)) Gardening can seem so overwhelming but I’ve discovered it’s, “my thing” and I’m beyond blessed to have made a career of it. Your knowledge and, more importantly, positive words and support are more inspiring than my heart can convey. A garden has a mind of its own and I love to watch it grow. So great to be supported (directly or indirectly) by the Yoda of gardening. Please always keep sharing every thought in your head. You make people like me, an aspiring gardener, feel very very supported. Because of you I often think, “I did all I can do. Now do your thing (garden).” Thanks for being amazing and for teaching me how to love gardening!
Once again I’m grateful for all your outpouring of appreciation for what I do. I’m glad I can help bring solutions to gardening conundrums for one as enthusiastic about plants and gardening as you are. Carry on with joy as you are doing!
You have made me a hero amongst my co-workers. You’re just simply the best!!! Thanks for being amazing! I hope I’ve conveyed your celebrity status to myself and my co-workers. All morning all I’ve heard whenever anyone has a question is, “Hey Jess! Can you call Pat and ask her…” You’ve truly brightened all of our days with your overwhelming kindness! Thank you.
Thanks to you for being so appreciative! So glad to be of help and glad you love your work!