"Urban Undergrowth: Flora of a Cityscape" by Erik Smith

Amman is a rapidly expanding and cosmopolitan city. However, many of its residents and public areas are not entirely enamored with the continual encroachment of pavement and concrete. There is greenery sprinkled throughout Amman, bursting out from sidewalks and over fences and emphasizing the organic nature of the city. I’ve done my best to document some of the most abundant and interesting of Amman’s flowers and trees here.

Trees

It wouldn’t be a hot climate without palm trees! These are among the most common in the city for both public and private spaces, and there is a wide variety of species and sizes. These are both date palms, well-known in the area for their eponymous fruit and a staple in the region.

Palm Tree

Potted Palm

Olive Tree

Another species accurately associated with the region is the olive tree. I hadn’t expected to see them outside of plantations, and have been delighted to discover that they are hearty and popular enough to line many streets in the city as well. Their thick, waxy leaves are unique and easy to identify, and many sport the hard, green beginnings of their famous fruit.

Carob Tree

I had to take a picture of this one since I’ve seen them all over, but it was actually a challenge to identify at first. From asking one of our program coordinators at Amideast, I learned that it is a carob tree, and these bean pods take a much darker hue when they ripen. Apparently, they’re a growing alternative to chocolate in many areas. Neat!

Flowers

These bougainvillea originated in South America but have become a common garden plant throughout the world. While the magenta variety is the most striking on the streets of Amman, they can also more rarely be seen in a faded sepia hue. The flowers seem to last for a long time and their vibrant color livens up most residential streets in the city.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is another staple, though not as common as some of the other plants on this list (or perhaps I just haven’t seen as many because they aren’t in full bloom at the moment). Variations on this classic flower abound worldwide, and it is nice to see something so familiar and simultaneously fresh.

Blue Plumbago

The blue plumbago is not only fun to say but one of the most common flowers on Amman’s streets. The characteristic long bases of their petals and tendency to grow around and over their surroundings make them easy to spot on most streets. Their hypnotic color is perhaps my favorite of those I’ve seen.

Jasmine

Another 5-petalled flower, jasmine is often recognized less by its white color than by its popular aroma. This plant is at least as ubiquitous as the plumbago and provides a delight on any walk by brightening both the view and the scent of the streets. It’s no wonder the region is known for its popular perfumes when abundant ingredients such as this remind one daily of their potential!

Amman Citadel

Clearly, appreciation for the region’s foliage is not a recent phenomenon. Romans carved this flower into a wall, now found in the city’s famous Citadel. Evidently the history of Amman’s flora is as long as the city’s own!

This is just a small sampling of the plants found around the city, and many families go above and beyond with many potted plants on ledges and sidewalks in addition to the trees and vines that are more apparent on the streets. They fill the city with their bright colors and scents. While Amman’s characteristic architecture and pale stones are easier to identify, I can’t imagine walking through these boulevards without their often-ignored botanical accompaniments.