Seed Viability refers to the ability of a seed to germinate.. . When describing Seed Viability, use fruit at a known ripeness stage and note whether it is breba or main crop, since weather, pollination, and harvest timing can change the observation.

Seed-Like Achenes refers to the small crunchy structures commonly called fig seeds.. . When describing Seed-Like Achenes, use fruit at a known ripeness stage and note whether it is breba or main crop, since weather, pollination, and harvest timing can change the observation.

Seedling Selection is a term used for a seed-grown plant selected for evaluation or naming.. . When describing Seedling Selection, use fruit at a known ripeness stage and note whether it is breba or main crop, since weather, pollination, and harvest timing can change the observation.

Selection refers to a plant chosen for desirable traits.. . Selection is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Self-fertile means a plant can produce fruit or seed using its own reproductive material rather than needing pollen from another cultivar. In figs, the more practical term is often whether the fig is common, persistent, or pollination-dependent. Many common figs are described casually as self-fertile because they ripen fruit without another fig nearby. For accuracy, growers should distinguish this from fig-wasp pollination biology and from seed fertility.

In horticulture, Semi-Hardwood Cutting describes a cutting from partially matured current-season growth. For pruning, grafting, and variety notes, Semi-Hardwood Cutting should be recorded with its position on the shoot so the observation can be connected to buds, fruiting sites, dieback, or new growth. For Semi-Hardwood Cutting, record where it occurs on the shoot or trunk; that position can affect pruning decisions, regrowth after winter injury, grafting, and fruiting wood.

Senescence means the aging and breakdown process of plant tissue in practical plant language.. . Senescence is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Separation Cut refers to the cut that removes a rooted layer from the parent plant.. . Separation Cut is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Serrate Margin is a term used for a saw-toothed leaf edge. Serrate 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.

Serving Size is a term used for a defined amount used for nutrition or recipe planning.. . Serving Size is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Shade cloth is woven or knitted material used to reduce sunlight intensity and heat. It is sold in different shade percentages and can be used temporarily or seasonally. For figs, shade cloth can protect new cuttings, greenhouse plants, recently moved containers, or fruit exposed to extreme heat. Too much shade, however, can slow ripening and reduce fruit quality.

Shade Tolerance refers to ability to function under reduced light.. . Shade Tolerance is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Shelf Life refers to how long fruit remains usable after harvest.. . Shelf Life is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Shipping Quality is a term used for ability of fruit to handle transport.. . Shipping Quality is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Shoot Tip means the actively growing end of a shoot in practical plant language. For pruning, grafting, and variety notes, Shoot Tip should be recorded with its position on the shoot so the observation can be connected to buds, fruiting sites, dieback, or new growth.

For Shoot Tip, record where it occurs on the shoot or trunk; that position can affect pruning decisions, regrowth after winter injury, grafting, and fruiting wood.

Short-Season Variety means a cultivar suited to limited ripening time in practical plant language.

Short-Season Variety is most useful when paired with accurate labels and source history. In fig collecting, shorthand or naming terms should never replace careful provenance, photos, and grower notes.