It is a spreading shrub or small tree, profusely branched, reaches up to 10 to 30 ft height. The specific epithet “carica” has been derived from Caria, region of Turkey known for growing figs. Leaves simple, heart shaped, 3-5 deeply lobed 15-30 cm long, leaves surface sand paper like scabrid. Inflorescence a hypanthodium. The whole inflorescence is traded as fruit for which the plants are cultivated.