Fig marigold

fig marigold
    n 1: any of several South African plants of the genus
         Mesembryanthemum cultivated for showy pink or white flowers
         [syn: {fig marigold}, {pebble plant}]
    

Marigold \Mar"i*gold\, n. [Mary + gold.] (Bot.)
   A name for several plants with golden yellow blossoms,
   especially the {Calendula officinalis} (see {Calendula}), and
   the cultivated species of {Tagetes}.
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   Note: There are several yellow-flowered plants of different
         genera bearing this name; as, the {African marigold} or
         {French marigold} of the genus {Tagetes}, of which
         several species and many varieties are found in
         gardens. They are mostly strong-smelling herbs from
         South America and Mexico: {bur marigold}, of the genus
         {Bidens}; {corn marigold}, of the genus {Chrysanthemum}
         ({Chrysanthemum segetum}, a pest in the cornfields of
         Italy); {fig marigold}, of the genus
         {Mesembryanthemum}; {marsh marigold}, of the genus
         {Caltha} ({Caltha palustris}), commonly known in
         America as the {cowslip}. See {Marsh Marigold}.
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   {Marigold window}. (Arch.) See {Rose window}, under {Rose}.
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Fig \Fig\ (f[i^]g), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr.
   figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. {Fico}.]
   1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree ({Ficus Carica}) with large
      leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably
      native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
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   2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong
      shape, and of various colors.
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   Note: The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a
         stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity.
         Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in
         only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The
         fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its
         fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See
         {Caprification}.
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   3. A small piece of tobacco. [U.S.]
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   4. The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used
      in scorn or contempt. "A fig for Peter." --Shak.
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   {Cochineal fig}. See {Conchineal fig}.

   {Fig dust}, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged
      birds.

   {Fig faun}, one of a class of rural deities or monsters
      supposed to live on figs. "Therefore shall dragons dwell
      there with the fig fauns." --Jer. i. 39. (Douay version).

   {Fig gnat} (Zool.), a small fly said to be injurious to figs.
      

   {Fig leaf}, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first
      clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a
      thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate
      covering; a symbol for affected modesty.

   {Fig marigold} (Bot.), the name of several plants of the
      genus {Mesembryanthemum}, some of which are prized for the
      brilliancy and beauty of their flowers.

   {Fig tree} (Bot.), any tree of the genus {Ficus}, but
      especially {F. Carica} which produces the fig of commerce.
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