Berm Planting is a term used for planting on a raised mound or ridge.. . Berm Planting is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

In horticulture, Berry Flavor describes fig flavor reminiscent of berries. For fig descriptions, Berry Flavor should be observed on ripe fruit when possible and paired with crop, weather, and photos, because fruit traits can change between breba and main crop or during a wet season.. . Berry Flavor is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Black Fig Fly (BFF), scientifically known as Silba adipata, is an increasingly problematic pest in fig cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions and now emerging in parts of the United States. This small black insect, about 3 to 4 mm in size, is a species of fruit fly that specifically targets fig fruits. It should not be confused with the common fruit flies seen around overripe produce; BFF has a unique life cycle and host specificity that makes it especially dangerous to fig growers. The female black fig fly lays her eggs inside immature figs using a sharp ovipositor. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding on the fig’s internal tissues, causing the fruit to drop prematurely or rot from within. Symptoms are often subtle at first, but signs include unexplained fruit drop, soft spots, and sometimes a small puncture hole where the egg was deposited. Because the damage occurs internally, infestations often go unnoticed until substantial crop loss occurs. BFF can produce multiple generations in a single season, making it hard to control once established. For fig collectors and orchardists, BFF is particularly devastating due to its ability to destroy prized or rare cultivars silently and quickly. Control measures are still being studied, but efforts include sanitation (removing fallen fruit), exclusion netting, and targeted insecticide use. In regions where the fly has become established, some growers are also exploring sterile insect techniques and monitoring with bait traps. The growing concern about BFF has led to increased awareness and collaboration among fig enthusiasts and agricultural authorities. For collectors, staying informed and proactive about BFF is essential, especially as the pest spreads into new territories where figs are cultivated both commercially and by hobbyists.  See PEST ALERT – Black Fig Fly and the Black Fig Fly article on Silba adipata McAlpine. Also watch these well-received segment on combating the black fig fruit fly and Silba Adipata - Black Fig Fly Damage Identification by Eric Durtschi.

Biennial bearing is a pattern in which a fruiting plant produces a heavier crop one year and a lighter crop the next. It is well known in some tree fruits and can be influenced by stress, crop load, pruning, nutrition, and weather. Figs are not usually described by biennial bearing as strongly as apples or some other fruits, but uneven annual cropping can still occur. A young fig, a stressed container tree, winter-damaged wood, or a tree allowed to carry too much fruit may show irregular production from year to year.

Bifera means bearing two crops. In fig terminology it is commonly used for cultivars capable of producing a breba crop on older wood and a main crop on current-season growth.

This term is useful because breba and main crops can differ in timing, quantity, and quality. A bifera fig may be valuable in regions where an early crop is desired, but growers should still verify whether the breba crop is reliable in their climate and whether the main crop has enough season to ripen.

Bifurcation means a division into two branches or forks. In plant structure, it may describe the point where a stem, branch, root, vein, or other organ splits into two distinct directions. On fig trees, bifurcation is relevant when choosing scaffold branches and evaluating branch angles. A narrow or weak fork can split under fruit load or wind, while a well-placed fork may help form a balanced tree structure.

Bilabiate means two-lipped. The term is most often used in botany to describe flowers whose corolla or calyx is divided into an upper and lower lip, as in many members of the mint family.

It is not a common term for edible fig fruit, because the fig syconium encloses many tiny flowers inside the fruit-like structure. In Fig Database, bilabiate is mainly useful as general botanical vocabulary that may appear when comparing fig relatives or reading broader plant descriptions.

Biodiversity refers to variety of living organisms in a growing system. It helps connect site design and routine care with long-term productivity, access, airflow, and tree health.. . Biodiversity is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Biological pest control uses living organisms or naturally derived biological agents to reduce pest populations. Examples include beneficial insects, predatory mites, parasitic wasps, nematodes, microbial products, and conservation of natural enemies through careful cultural practices. In fig growing, biological control may help with pests in propagation spaces, greenhouses, and orchards, but it works best as part of integrated pest management. Correct pest identification matters; a beneficial organism chosen for one pest may do little for another.

In horticulture, Bird Pecking describes fruit damage caused by birds. Related glossary ideas include integrated pest management.. . Bird Pecking is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

The term “Black” or “Dark” frequently appears in the names of fig varieties and typically refers to the color of the skin rather than the pulp. These figs often have deep purple to almost jet-black exteriors when ripe and are among the most popular among collectors for their rich, jammy flavors and striking appearance. The designation "black" is often used descriptively or culturally and can vary based on region, language, and historical naming customs. Some famous examples include Black Mission, Violette de Bordeaux, Noire de Caromb, and Negretta. Many of these names have been passed down or translated through local traditions, and as figs travel from one region to another, the term for “black” is often translated to match the local language. Here's how "black" is expressed in some of the key fig-growing cultures: Catalan: Negre French: Noire (feminine), Noir (masculine) Greek: Mávros Italian: Nero Portuguese: Preta (feminine), Preto (masculine) Spanish: Negra (feminine), Negro (masculine) Turkish: Siyah It’s important to note that while “black” figs may share similar coloration, they can differ significantly in flavor, vigor, leaf pattern, and season. Not all “black” figs are genetically related; some may have only been named for appearance. For collectors, knowing the linguistic roots can help trace the origins of a variety, especially when comparing similarly named figs from different countries.

Black Fig Fly (BFF), scientifically known as Silba adipata, is an increasingly problematic pest in fig cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions and now emerging in parts of the United States. This small black insect, about 3 to 4 mm in size, is a species of fruit fly that specifically targets fig fruits. It should not be confused with the common fruit flies seen around overripe produce; BFF has a unique life cycle and host specificity that makes it especially dangerous to fig growers. The female black fig fly lays her eggs inside immature figs using a sharp ovipositor. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding on the fig’s internal tissues, causing the fruit to drop prematurely or rot from within. Symptoms are often subtle at first, but signs include unexplained fruit drop, soft spots, and sometimes a small puncture hole where the egg was deposited. Because the damage occurs internally, infestations often go unnoticed until substantial crop loss occurs. BFF can produce multiple generations in a single season, making it hard to control once established. For fig collectors and orchardists, BFF is particularly devastating due to its ability to destroy prized or rare cultivars silently and quickly. Control measures are still being studied, but efforts include sanitation (removing fallen fruit), exclusion netting, and targeted insecticide use. In regions where the fly has become established, some growers are also exploring sterile insect techniques and monitoring with bait traps. The growing concern about BFF has led to increased awareness and collaboration among fig enthusiasts and agricultural authorities. For collectors, staying informed and proactive about BFF is essential, especially as the pest spreads into new territories where figs are cultivated both commercially and by hobbyists.  See PEST ALERT – Black Fig Fly and the Black Fig Fly article on Silba adipata McAlpine. Also watch these well-received segment on combating the black fig fruit fly and Silba Adipata - Black Fig Fly Damage Identification by Eric Durtschi.

The "Black Madeira" fig family encompasses a group of late-ripening, dark-skinned common figs (Ficus carica) prized for their intensely sweet, jam-like flavor and attractive appearance. Native to Madeira Island, Portugal, these figs feature deep purple to nearly black skins and rich red pulp. They are self-fertile and don’t require pollination, making them more reliable than Smyrna types—but they can still crack during humid conditions and may be susceptible to fig mosaic virus. Within this family, several clones and strains exist: Black Madeira (DFIC 144) – The classic strain introduced by USDA/UC Davis, known for its intense sweetness and complex berry‑caramel notes. Black Madeira KK – A vigorous clone with similar flavor but faster growth habit and potentially better resilience. Figo Preto – Portuguese for "black fig" and often synonymous with Black Madeira, especially in Madeira cultivation; noted for excellent flavor and adaptability to containers or cooler northern climates. These clones may show slight differences in vigor, rooting ability, or mosaic virus tolerance, but their fruit quality remains remarkably consistent—making them a staple for collectors chasing flavor excellence. Collectors consider the Black Madeira family as some of the best-tasting figs available. Their complex, dark‑berry flavor profile often becomes the benchmark for gourmet fig tasting.

The Black Mission family, occasionally called Mission Fig, is a historically significant group of Ficus carica cultivars originally introduced to North America by Spanish Franciscan missionaries around 1768. These figs feature characteristic deep purple to nearly black skins with luscious strawberry-pink flesh and a jammy, honey-rich flavor that balances sweetness with subtle berry notes. They are reliably biannual producers, offering both an early-season breba crop and a later main crop, and are self-fertile—making them excellent for both home gardens and container growing. Black Mission figs are cherished in collections for their rich historical background and dependable productivity. As one of the earliest figs propagated by European settlers in California, they represent a living legacy of agricultural heritage. Their distinctive flavor, combined with two crop cycles per season, often makes them a benchmark against which collectors compare newer varieties. However, collectors should note they can be prone to skin splitting in wet climates and may carry fig mosaic virus—though this seldom affects their fruit quality

In horticulture, Blade Margin describes the outer edge of a leaf blade. Blade Margin is useful when comparing fig leaves because leaf shape can vary by cultivar, tree age, shoot vigor, and season. Clear leaf descriptions should mention the part being observed and should be paired with photos when the term is used for identification.

Blastophaga Life Cycle is a term used for the developmental cycle of the edible fig's pollinating wasp. . For Blastophaga Life Cycle, the practical interpretation depends on the growing setup: container or in-ground tree, drainage, watering pattern, sunlight, season, and local weather.