Plants in Lahore - Walled City

Plant Heritage of Lahore

• Plant heritage of Lahore is ancient. Pend the long road into the past. Let's enter the Walled City of Lahore through Delhi Gate. Move through it and turn left into a building named Shahi Hamam. On the briefing wall a picture tell you what was Lahore in 19th century.  The briefing person can give you some insight both in English and Urdu.

Sketch of Laore- 19th Century. Photo 19 Sep 2013
Leave the building with amazement. Walk through the 

narrow Bazar/ Market. Ascending street takes you to Masjid/ Mosque Wazir Khan. A wonderful colorful piece of architecture against my monochromatic view of dynamic Islam. Notice! What? Oh my goodness. Love of flora. Minaret and walls inside/ outside have exquisite floral designs. Diversity of flora. Craftsmanship of my beloved people. Form, flower, fruit, colors, vines, shrubs, trees reciting the harmony of joy composed in concept and implementation.  Is it an introduction to flora, architect or something else?  By your leave I lean to Flora. Glean the pictures and favor my point of view, please!

Southern Wall inside The Mosque Wazir Khan

Minaret Mosque Wazir Khan, Lahore, Pakistan, Photo 19 Sep 13 

Masjid Wazir Khan, 

Watch somewhat mirror imaging of floral designs.Mosque Wazir Khan

Grape Vine - Vitis (V-Tiss) 

Could you spot grapes in the picture. You do. Bunches.

Western Wall , Facing Makkah Masjid ul Haram, Mosque Wazir Khan, Lahore , Photo Sep 2013

And when I moved out of the Mosque. I found a grape vine in a narrow street. Sorry forgot street name.What a coincidence? Amazed or surprised? Love of plants in Lahore is still deep rooted. Bravo! Let us tend to agree. 

A hardy vine is conducive to Lahore Climate. Humans, birds and squirrels relish fresh bunches. Leaves were tasted during younger days, a little sour. Fruit used in jams, juices, jellies and wines. Raisins dried grapes is a good sweetener. I use it in the morning barley porridge and my friend General (R) Zahid Mubashir Sheikh with green tea. I adopted too. Vine can follow fences, trees, cover birds cages and lean to in the fields. Some shade during summers being deciduous. Many varieties and colors of grapes are available. Both edible and inedible. Certain imported varieties are got from Spain, France and California etc. Needs average water. Likes sun and Partial Shade. 
At Nowshera the vine remained under flood water (Jul 2010) for over 10 days and remained alive. Gave fruit next year. We covered the bunches but squirrels made the most.

Happy reading!