Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarMoraceaeFicus amplissima

Ficus amplissima Sm.

Synonyms

Ficus indica, Ficus pseudobenjamina, Ficus pseudotsiela, Ficus tjiela, Ficus tsiela

Common names

Bat fig, Indian Bat Tree

Extract from Wikipedia article

Ficus amplissima, also known as the Indian bat tree, Indian bat fig, Pimpri, Pipri (Piparee), Pipali or Bilibasari mara (in the Kannada language) is a tree species of flowering plants that belongs to Moraceae, the fig or mulberry family. It is native to Central and southern Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, having a significant distribution throughout Western Ghats of India. It is most commonly planted to provide shade in coffee plantations due to its dense and wide foliage. The ripened figs attract many birds, especially during the spring.

AI-generated Description

Ficus amplissima is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. In Qatar, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and tolerance for hot, dry conditions. It has large, elliptical leaves with wavy margins and can grow up to 10 meters tall. As an introduced species in Qatar's urban landscapes, Ficus amplissima provides shade and aesthetic value, thriving in the country's arid climate with proper care and irrigation.

Trunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 29, 2014
LinkTrunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 29, 2014
Location on mapsSand Trail, Doha, Qatar
Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 29, 2014
LinkIndian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 29, 2014
Location on mapsAspire Park Running Trail, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2014
LinkFruits of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2014
Location on mapsAl Shabi St, Doha, Qatar
Leaf of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2014
LinkLeaf of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2014
Location on mapsAl Shabi St, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 25, 2014
LinkFruits of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 25, 2014
Location on mapsAl Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Trunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2014
LinkTrunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2014
Location on mapsAspire Park Running Trail, Doha, Qatar
Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, April 9, 2015
LinkIndian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, April 9, 2015
Location on mapsSand Trail, Doha, Qatar
Trunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, April 21, 2015
LinkTrunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, April 21, 2015
Location on mapsSand Trail, Doha, Qatar
Trunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2015
LinkTrunk of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2015
Location on mapsAl Baaya Street, Doha, Qatar
Trunk texture of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2015
LinkTrunk texture of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2015
Location on mapsAl Baaya Street, Doha, Qatar
Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2016
LinkIndian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2016
Location on mapsAspire Park Running Trail, Doha, Qatar
Entangled branches of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) on its trunk in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2016
LinkEntangled branches of Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) on its trunk in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2016
Location on mapsAspire Park Running Trail, Doha, Qatar
Indian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 6, 2016
LinkIndian Bat Tree (Ficus amplissima) in Aspire Park. Doha, Qatar, June 6, 2016
Location on mapsAl Baaya St, Doha, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

The Ficus amplissima trees observed in Qatar have distinct trunks with unique textures, as seen on June 1, 2015. The trees produce fruits, which were spotted near Al Istiqlal Street on May 11, 2014, and again on September 25, 2014. Leaves of the tree were also observed near Al Istiqlal Street on May 11, 2014. Many of the observations were made in Aspire Park, where the trees have entangled branches, as seen on March 3, 2016. The trees were observed over several years, from 2014 to 2016, with multiple sightings in different seasons, indicating their adaptability to Qatar's climate. The Indian Bat Tree's ability to thrive in Doha's environment is evident from its presence in various locations, including Aspire Park and near West Bay. Overall, the observations highlight the tree's characteristics and its ability to grow in Qatar.

Links

Outside links

How the web page was created

Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.