Hi Joseph,

I got mine from Jon (Pitangadiego) who I believe got his from Herman. Jon calls it Marseilles VS (MVS) and Herman is calling it Black Marseilles. Gene is calling it "Marseilles Black VS" on his web site. Herman (VS are the initials for his real name) said that he acquired it from a lady in Columbia, MD. You can see this description on Gene's cite:

"1943 brought to U.S. and planted in Columbia, MD by WWII veteran. Similar to Sal's (EL) and Hardy Chicago; fruit slightly larger in size, with darker skin; ripens a week before Hardy Chicago; considered by VS to be an excellent fig for the Mid-Atlantic region."

Condit's description of Black Marseilles may be a bit different, as I recall. I also believe that there is one that has the light-colored, amber, or almost white flesh and pulp just like the more common varieties of Marseilles with the green or yellow skins; the biggest difference between the two being the skin color. MVS, on the other hand, has a dark red pulp.

I found MVS to be a vigorous grower with larger leaves than SalÂs or Hardy Chicago.

Al

Thank you Al, very good info, the cuttings are "doing" in their bed of perlite and I am waiting , you know how that goes. Joseph

Actually,the description,in ,Condit,Hilgardia,is exactly like this tree is.I am so Happy Jon,gave it my Initials.
It is a fig with no faults,that will make every Gardener Happy,with the results of his work.
From Hilgardia
Marseillaise Black (syns. Black Marseilles, Marseillaise Negra, Black Provence, Ficus
carica phoceana Risso, according to Sauvaigo). Described by Sawyer (1824), Hogg
(1866), G. S. (1869), Sauvaigo (1889), Barron (1891), Eisen (1901), Starnes (1903), and
Starnes and Monroe (1907, with illustration). The following account is after that of
Eisen, which differs somewhat from the short one given by Hogg.
Figs medium, pyriform, with distinct neck; stalk long, about one-third the length of
the fig; ribs distinct, especially on neck and body; eye medium, closed; scales large, red;
skin waxy, with thin bloom; color black; pulp red. Quality good in Provence and at
Nice.
Enjoy it.
,

Herman,
I always enjoy reading your posts and the description of the Marseille VS, indeed you must be very happy to have your name associated to such a fine fig and I am very glad to be growing one.
Now that picture of your fig orchard just made me laugh, just beautifull !! in a few years I hope to have a little fig forest myself.
Figs make us happy don't they ? Joseph

Sounds like a must-have-fig for rainy summer climates.

I couldn't find any information about this fig or its synonyms on european websites...very mysterious.

Yes They do especially if it is a reliable cultivar.!
Some cultivars do not make me Happy,because i grow and care for them for 3 years and they will just drop fruits without any reasons.
Yet Marseilles vs blk,will deliver,every time.
Best Regards

Not necessarily having to do with 'this' Marseilles...
But is it Black Marseilles or ... Marseilles Black?
English grammar/fig-naming at issue here!?! Plenty of
(common black/white/red/etc.,)color(s)/'other' fig names...
I prefer the reverse (type first - color second);
'other'/color fig naming (aka., Marseilles Black).
George (NJ).

Forgot to mention that it makes a BIG difference in
any alphabetical fig list...

I've tried a search with all combinations of Marseilles/Marseillaise/Provence and black/noire/nero without success.
There must be another popular synonym for this fig.