Morphometrics and structural changes of fig (Ficus carica L. var. Ipoh Blue Giant) syconium during growth, maturation and on-tree ripening

•Fig variety Ipoh Blue Giant (IBG) took 12 weeks to develop from a bud to a mature syconium.•IBG fig senescence within 5 days once ripening onset.•IBG fig exhibited a double sigmoid growth curve with a rapid increase in size during the first 4 weeks of growth and ripening.•Ripening of the IBG fig corresponded with a tremendous increase in a* and delta e values, glucose, fructose, and pH.•IBG fig cells underwent changes as growth and ripening took place.