The
Mission fig (also known as
Black Mission or
Franciscana) is a popular variety of the edible
fig (
Ficus carica). It was first introduced to what is now the United States in 1768 when
Franciscan missionaries planted it in
San Diego. It was also planted in the subsequent missions that the Franciscans established up the
California coast. Gustav Eisen writes, "The early padres and missionaries in the Pacific coast States cultivated no other variety of fig". It later became the main commercial variety planted throughout
California. The Mission fig was later surpassed by the Sari Lop fig (also known as Calimyrna) as the most popular commercial fig variety grown in California.