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GENERAL
Origin
:
tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, aerial
layering
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
high (4500 ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
20 m-30 m
Spread
:
10 m-18 m
Foliage
:
semi-evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pale green
Size
:
0.3 cm
Period
:
March - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
drupe(fleshy/
juicy)
Fruit size
:
1 cm
Toxicity
:
inedible, fruit
The Peepul Tree, known in Arabic as lissan al asfour, is native to the Indian sub-continent and
southeast Asia. It is a very large, erect and elegant semi-deciduous tree, which reaches a height
of 20 metres in Arriyadh with a spread of up to 10 metres. Its trunk can have great proportions,
sometimes up to 3 metres in diameter. The gracefully hanging leaves are a distinctive, dark green,
attractively veined, with a long, pointed tip, something like the beak of a bird, hence its Arabic
name. They are up to 15 cm long and ovate to 12 cm. New leaf growth is pinkish in colour. Gree-
nish, insignificant flowers are borne in spring. The fruits are sessile figs turning purple when ripe.
F. religiosa prefers a sunny position and a deep, fertile, mildly alkaline soil. With its shallow roots,
it often forms above-ground buttress roots at maturity and, depending on the location, the tree’s
roots therefore may become a nuisance, especially if there is insufficient space and when paving
is buckled. The tree requires regular irrigation, but will not tolerate waterlogging and it is only
moderately tolerant to salinity and hard frosts. Propagation is by seed, hardwood cuttings or sim-
ple layering. It is occasionally prone to red spider mites. Pruning will help to keep its shape, but
care must be taken not to spoil its natural habit. This majestic tree can be used as a specimen tree
in parks and large gardens. It provides good shade along pathways and can be planted in urban
open spaces, where there is room, and wide road medians.
151
Ficus religiosa,
Moraceae
Bo-Tree,
Peepul, fikas lissan al asfour