PlantFiles: Sycamore Fig, Egyptian Sycamore, Mulberry Fig
Ficus sycomorus

Although this species of fig requires the presence of the symbiotic wasp Ceratosolen arabicus to reproduce sexually, and this insect is extinct in Egypt, Zohay and Hopf have no doubt that Egypt was "the principal area of sycamore fig development."
"The Tree of the Virgin" at Matariya where the Holy Family visited and stayed under its shadow, still survives as one of the most important historical places in Cairo.
The Tree of the Holy Virgin at Matariya, where the Holy Family found shade under a sycamore tree. At that spot Jesus created a well, blessed it, and drank from it. Mary also bathed Jesus from the water of it and in the place where she poured out the water grew a balsam tree. The tree is now used for the preparation of the chrism or holy Myron.
Milos Korac

We live on the northern coast of Cyprus to the west of Kyrenia and the farmer down our road has grown one - called 'cümbez' (pronounced: joombez) in Turkish Cypriot - in his garden and tells me it is a hardwood cutting from the 600 year old tree in Famagusta. The fruit are shaped liked ordinary figs - but are more yellow-orange in colour and have to be cut or 'knicked' with a knife to allow pollination in order for them to develop and mature. They are juicy but not flavoursome - just a slight blandness that indicates a rather delicate sweetness. He does not water it ever! As he arrived here in 1974 I imagine that it is over 30 year's old. We are eating them now - June/July.

The Sycomore is historically one of the most important trees. It's cited in the Bible several times. The wood and figs have been used by people in Middle East for thousands of years. These trees can live for centuries. If I'm not mistaken, there are some trees that could be more than 2000 years old.

It's a fig tree, and a large one. The height depends on the soil and water available. The trunk is vigorous and can grow larger than taller sometimes, making it look like a Baobad. The leaves are simple, or more often lobate, with tiny hairs on its surface. Dunno much about cultivation, and never seen (or tasted) the figs myself.