We worked in the same newspaper years back. Then we lost touch as we changed jobs. As years rolled by we had forgotten that the other existed. And the other day he found me on Facebook and mailed me. That’s the way Ignatius Pereira, presently a senior correspondent with The Hindu, found me.
Having come to know of my interest in plants, he sent me an interesting item on a fig tree of the kind mentioned in the Bible, and now growing and fruiting in Kollam district.
Growing luxuriantly at Kallar, a plantation belt within the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam district of Kerala, the Mediterranean or common fig tree (ficus carica Moraceae) is mentioned time and again in the Bible and is the subject of much theological discussion and interpretation. It abundantly bears fruits which makes it an attractive sight for visitors.
Standing as a fine shade tree on the edge of an open ground in the midst of a rich clove estate it was planted by late Jacob Thaliyath, owner of the estate, who brought the sapling from West Asia many years ago. The exotic plant has adapted itself well to the tropical forest situation of Kallar region. Having grown into a sturdy tree it has started bearing fruits. The fruits flower in a brownish green hue and ripen to the size of apples sporting a purple hue.
Renju Thaliyath, the present owner of the estate, says they often enjoy the figs as a fine succulent meal.
ALAN GARDENS
Manthuruthy.P.O, Kottayam Dist, Kerala State,India.
Ph: 0091 – 09495234232, rajeshkarapalli@yahoo.com
For Very Good Varieties of Fruit Plants (Grafted, Bud and Seedling)
Fruit Tree List
1 African Pista
2 Anona
3 Avocado
4 Bananas
5 Bankok Chamba
6 Baraba
7 Bilumbi
8 Bread Fruit (Sheema Chakka)
9 Canistel Fruit (Egg Fruit)
10 Cashew
11 Cherimoya (Mullatha)
12 Cherry
13 Citrus Tree (Naarakam)
14 Cocoa
15 Custard Apple (Aatha)
16 Elantha Fruit
17 Gooseberry (Nelli)
18 Granadilla (Passion Fruit)
19 Guava
20 Iranian Fig
21 Jack Fruit
22 Jamaican Star Fruit
23 Jambul, Java Plum (Njavel)
24 Jujube
25 Karambola
26 Kokam
27 Lemon Tree (Naarakam)
28 Loveloy
29 Lychee
30 Malay Apple (Chamba)
31 Malaysian Durian
32 Malaysian Filosan
33 Malaysian Rambutan
34 Mango Tree (10 Varieties)
35 Mexican Chamba
36 Mosambi
37 Mulberry
38 Noni
39 Nutmeg (Jaathi)
40 Orange
41 Papaya
42 Passion Fruit (Violet, Yellow)
43 Persimmon
44 Pomegranate Fruit (Mathala Naarakam)
45 Pummelo (Kambili Naarakam)
46 Sapote
47 Soursop (Mullatha)
48 Star Apple
49 Strawberry
50 Sugar Apple (Aatha)
51 Surinam Cherry
52 Sweet Mangosteen
53 Sweet Tamarind
54 Thailand Langsat
55 Tree Tomato
56 Ugli Fruit (Kambili Naarakam)
57 Water Apple (Chamba)
58 West Indian Cherry
Nuts and Spices
1 African Pista
2 Black Pepper
3 Cardamom (Elakka)
4 Cashew
5 Cinnamon (Karuva Patta)
6 Clove (Grambu)
7 Curry Leaves
8 Garcinia Cambogia (Kudam Puli)
9 Nutmeg (Jaathikka)
10 Tamarind
11 Turmeric
Rajesh Karapalli
Alan Gardens
Manthuruthy.P.O, Kottayam Dist
Kerala State, India.
0091 – 09495234232
rajeshkarapalli@yahoo.com
Do you have a delivery service ?and I would like to get the price list
dear jiji
I don’t grow them. The post is based on a news item which appeared in The Hindu.
Well, fig trees had been there in kerala in the olden days. Known as അത്തി in malayalam ( interestingly, very similiar to its arabic name, “Al-Teen “.) I think over a time these trees became uncommon like many other trees.
Good to see the Nice photo of fig tree.
Probably one day I will also plant a fig tree in my compuond!
Dinesh