caprification

American  

[kap-ruh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌkæp rə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Horticulture.

1. a method of artificial pollination of fig trees by wasps that prick the buds on branches of the caprifig that have been hung in trees of the edible fig.

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caprification British  

/ ˌkæprɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a method of pollinating the edible fig by hanging branches of caprifig flowers in edible fig trees. Parasitic wasps in the caprifig flowers transfer pollen to the edible fig flowers

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Etymology

Origin of caprification

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin caprifīcātiōn-, stem of caprifīcātiō, derivative of caprifīcāre “to fertilize by caprification” (equivalent to capr-, stem of caper “goat” + -i- + fīc-, stem of fīcus “wild fig” + -āre infinitive suffix); see origin at caprifig ( def. )

Example Sentences

In some parts of Sicily, sprigs of mint, mentha pulegium, are used instead of branches of the wild for caprification.

From The Earth as Modified by Human Action by Marsh, George P.

I enquired into the mysteries of caprification, and learned that artificial ripening by means of a drop of oil is practised with some of them, chiefly the santillo, vollombola, pascarello and natalino.

From Old Calabria by Douglas, Norman

The sexual system of plants, seems first to have been observed in the fig tree; whose artificial impregnation is taught by Pliny, under the name of caprification.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 370, May 16, 1829 by Various

I cannot learn that caprification is now practised in Italy, but it is still in use in Greece.

From Man and Nature or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action by Marsh, George P.

The botanical name ficus has been derived from the Greek verb phuo to generate, and the husbandry of Figs was called by the Latins "caprification."

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas