The fig is the edible fruit of Ficus carica (the common fig), a species of tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Moraceae, native to the Mediterranean region, and to western and southern Asia.

Fig, plant of the mulberry family (Moraceae) and its edible fruit. The common fig is indigenous to an area extending from Asiatic Turkey to northern India and is cultivated in warm climates. The fruit contains significant amounts of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Fig is the common name given to any vine, shrub, or tree in the genus Ficus of the mulberry family, Moraceae. The term also is used for the sweet, edible, round to oval, "fruit" of the common fig tree, Ficus carica, which is of commercial importance.

House Beautiful on MSN: How to grow a fig tree that produces tons of fruit, according to garden experts

How to grow a fig tree that produces tons of fruit, according to garden experts

Technically, a fig is a bunch of upside-down flowers in a pod; the flesh is an accessory fruit. Figs don’t ripen after being picked, so choose plump ones that give a little to gentle pressure. Figs are rich in vitamin K, so they are known to interfere with blood-thinning medications.

With so many types of figs, here's an in-depth guide to 17 different types of figs for making one of the many Live Eat Learn fig recipes.