Does anyone have a fig tree? Or does anyone know about botany or genetics as it applies to botany?

[sage3276]

I was just looking at my fig tree while I was watering it and I noticed that the leaves are different shapes. I was under the impression leaves on pretty much any tree come out pretty much uniform, but I counted three different shapes on my tree. Some are pretty much just broad flat leaves and some have a notch on the top on either side, the other variety had notches at the bottom as well as the top.So my question is...Anyone who has a fig tree, would you please inspect your leaves, purely as a curiosity interest. I'm wondering if all fig trees are like this or if mine is a hybrid of some sort, maybe it's just a genetic mutation. Or maybe this is all perfectly normal in the realm of fig trees.Thanks for your participation in my quest for useless knowledge. : )

[MrWhy]

Can you be more specific with what different shapes you see? Fig tree leaves are all lobed, but the number of lobes can differ from one leaf to the next (usually 3 to 7 lobes per leaf). So if that's what you're seeing, it's probably normal.

[BugD]

Good for you for a great question. Leaves on most plants are different shapes from leaf to leaf and from species to species. A Norway Maple has a very different shaped leaves than a Japanese Maple. The fig leaves you are describing are just fine and are common shapes for a fig tree. The leaves can look like mittens, gloves or tennis rackets. Same is true for any number of trees.The study of plant forms is called "Taxonomy" and if you're really good at it you can tell what a tree species by looking at the leaves, the bark, the tree shape without leaves, or even the buds. Sounds like you are interested in science...you asked a great question. Keep up the good work!Bug Doc

[fluffythewonderdog]

figs are like thatso are sassafrass treesdon't worry ...................................or get too excited.welcome to nature