This is a fig that is not widely grown. It was introduced by Marius Ndelcu to the fig growing world following his post at F4F in 2011, who described it as being brought in 2009 from the village of Villafrati, Sicily. My cuttings came from Jon Ver@@@@, former owner of the F4F site. My plant was started in early 2015, placed in ground 2 + years ago. It died back to ground level the first year in the ground and did not ripen fruit. This year, with protection and another year of age, it survived better and woke up early, and started producing figs as of 8/27. Two years ago I thought this was another 'Mt Etna' type but this year I see a definite difference in coloration. It is much lighter in color, more red of course. It does have a Mt Etna like flavor and size - the last three figs averaged 28 grams. It seems to be productive and has some cold tolerance. This is NOT in the Sicilian Red/Palermo Red/Aldo family of figs, the flavor is different.

For me this is a keeper! It is a little different than my many Mt Etnas, unique, and a good fig.

submitted by eboone