Colonel Littman's Black Cross

Colonel Littman's Black Cross (CLBC) is a highly regarded American heirloom fig preserved from a tree grown by Colonel Littman in Gainesville, Florida. Colonel Littman received the variety from Mr. Cross of Tallahassee, whose name lives on in the cultivar's title. Following Colonel Littman's passing, the tree was preserved and introduced to a wider audience by Just Fruits & Exotics Nursery, where it quickly earned recognition for its outstanding fruit quality and dependable performance in the humid southeastern United States. Although its ultimate ancestry remains unknown, CLBC has become one of the most respected American selections, producing medium-sized, dark purple to nearly black fruit with a rich strawberry-red interior and excellent resistance to splitting.

When fully tree-ripened, Colonel Littman's Black Cross develops an exceptionally rich berry flavor highlighted by notes of strawberry preserves, raspberry, blackberry, and Concord grape. The fruit is intensely sweet yet beautifully balanced by a gentle acidity that keeps the flavor bright and refreshing. Its flesh is dense, smooth, and luxuriously jam-like, while the thin, tender skin blends seamlessly into the eating experience. Frequently compared to Black Madeira for its deep berry character, CLBC has earned a loyal following among collectors for combining outstanding flavor with reliable productivity and excellent performance in warm, humid climates.