Bethel Grove Gardens · Variety reference

Malta

Biological type: Common (persistent)
Pollination: Unknown

Cutting reference$6.00

One-gallon reference$28.00

Reference estimates, not sale offers or mature-tree appraisals. Price evidence date not recorded.

No verified photograph yet

Catalog illustration, not an identification photograph

Fruit & growing traits

Biological type: Common (persistent)
Crop habit: See Condit 1955
Main crop ripening: Early
Flavor profile: Sugar
Fruit size: Unknown / not recorded
Skin color: Unknown / not recorded
Pulp color: Unknown / not recorded
Hardiness / climate notes: Common fig (parthenocarpic). Typical home-orchard range about USDA 7–10; winter-protect in colder zones. Confirm with a living source in your climate.

Reported growth habit: Unknown

Geographic origin: Documented in Condit 1955 (often Mediterranean / N. Africa / CA intro)
Possible origin: Malta
Synonyms / alternate names: Blue Celeste; Celeste; Celeste Violette; Celestial; → Merengiana; Small Brown; Sugar Fig; Automne
Same or nearly the same: Unknown / not recorded
Popular close brother: Unknown / not recorded
Known parentage: Unknown / traditional (Condit monograph entry)
Reference year: 1800
First year (estimate): Mediterranean heirloom; SE-US by 19th c.
What the year means: Often linked to Malta. Present in the American South by the 1800s. Seedling year unknown. Female parent of 1950s LSU crosses.

Confidence: Established in Condit 1955 index
Key sources: Condit 1955 alphabetical list p. 447
Condit page: 447
Notes: Condit type symbol C; described under this name or cross-referenced in the 1955 monograph.
Commonality: Super common
Market availability: Big box

Imported catalog record; not individually reviewed. Separate names do not necessarily establish distinct genotypes.