Saccharum munja- Sarkanda/ kana add different dimension to a landscape

Saccharum (sacKer- Um) munja- Sarkanda/ kana

• It is a common plant in the suburbs of Lahore since ages. We are in touch with Sarkanda/ kana in our daily life but now it may be shrinking. Has medicinal value. A perennial grass. Can grow in most types of soils. Used to firm erosion of land.

Inside a compound. Natural growth.
Photo by Rashad.

 Inflorescence-  an open and branched  flower cluster.
 Photo by Rashad.

Lance type leaves are visible in the green color in foreground.
Photo by Rashad.

Can lift the sun? Surely used for neat ceilings for living.
Its shade is cooler than other types of ceilings. Photo by Rashad.

Watch it by the moon. Can be added to a house landscape being a grass.
Photo by Rashad

Grows along water lines. Carrying home for various uses including Basketery.
Photo by Rashad

Reflection in the pond. May we use it along a water feature in the house.
Photo by Rashad

Infloresence against the red sun. Who is gracing whom?
 Photo by Rashad. Along Khaira Disty DHA Lahore

•  Have a nice reading and viewing!

Fox Tail Palm- World's most popular palm is popular in Lahore too.

Foxtail Palm, Wodyetia (wud yetee Ah) bifurcata

• It is a common house landscape plant in Lahore as well as in Parks around. Weather is amenable for its growth  (US Zone 9b- 11). It can attain a height up to 30 feet. It has been named after the appearance of its foliage which resembles the tail of a fox. See it for yourself. Belongs to Arecaceae family.

Likes sun but can thrive in partial shade. Photo by Rashad.

Adds life to commercial landscape. Photo by Rashad.

Bloom repeatedly. The fruit is green initially which turns into red.
Photo by Rashad

Trunk is smooth and self-cleaning. Photo by Rashad

An evergreen palm. Color shades from dark green to lighter one.
 Photo by Rashad

An evening glow and foxy foliage. Photo by Rashad.

Young palm. Ready to be painted. Try it.
Photo by  Rashad

• Happing reading and viewing, readers!

Bauhinia/ Kachnar- Enliven the souls with repeated Blooms

Bauhinia- Kachnar- Many colors

• This ornamental plant is a common sight in Lahore.  It has many colors of flowers to charm you. It can be a good container plant. It belongs to Family of Caesalpiniaceae. Conducive to weather of Lahore. It is presently in bloom. Do find it for enjoyment sake. You may find Kachnar at a vegetable shop.

Sending the best to others. A common name is Orchid Tree.
Photo by Rashad 

Has medicinal value for humans.
 Leaves as a fodder for domesticated animals.
Yet coloring sky, souls and earth beneath. Photo by Rashad

Pick the buds and find a good ingredient for your food. Kachnar curry.
Photo by Rashad

Pink color. Both evergreen and deciduous varieties.
 Photo by Rashad. 

Notice the color. Can grow in sun and partial shade. Photo by Rashad.

Add ornaments to the house and delight for the passers by.
Attains a medium height 15- 20 ft. Photo by Rashad

Swinging the open sky. Flowering now is of  late summer/ early fall.
Photo by Rashad. Nov 2013.

On left is a melange of Bauhinia pink mixed with Bougainvillea. Right shoulder is matched by Buddah tree.
Enjoyment for Nature Lovers. Jinnah Garden, Photo by Rashad. 

Another view of mauve flower. Beautifies the golf courses.
Photo by Rashad.

Will bring butterflies, birds and bees to you. Photo by Rashad.

• Happy reading and viewing,   folks!

Caranda- Fruit is ripe! Have it.

Carissa (kar Essa) Caranda, Bengal Currant,  Karanda 

• It is a common plant and people have been using its fruit in various foods specially in jam and jellies. At nursery it is known as Karanda Phull (fruit) wala. It thrives well in Lahore (US hardiness Zone 9b- 11). It belongs to Apocynaceae family.
• The other day i visited Allama Iqbal Museum and found Caranda laced along the wall of the compound. First the picture of museum.

Allama Iqbal Museum- Javed Manzal.  Photo Rashad 13 Nov 2013.
The National Poet stayed here May 35 till death 21 Apr 1938.

Rosy pink fruit along with ripe and dried black currants.
 Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13.

Can attain a height from 8 to 20 feet.
Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13

Nature is all about colors. Worth Painting. Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13

Color of currants. A good source of antioxidants.
Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13

Grows well in sun and partial shade. Ever green.
Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13

Left the premises with the thought of the Thinker of Pakistan.
Photo Rashad 13 Nov 13

• Enjoy the reading, readers!

Pilkhan tree- A magnificent joy!

Ficus infectoria - Wavy Leaf Fig or Pilkhan Tree

• Ficus infectoria or virens (veer ens) is an evergreen spreading tree. Local name is Pilkhan and conducive to weather of Lahore. It is a common sight in Lahore cantonment area. A good avenue and landscape tree.
• The other day I visited Lahore Shahi Fort. I was overawed by the splendidly sprawled Pilkhan tree. 

The Magnificent! I am proud of you. Pilkhan tree at Lahore Fort.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

Fresco art- at the Lahor Shahi Fort depicting flora.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

A living art- an oxygen factory. Thank you for purifying my air. View from height.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

A fast growing plant. Watch coppery young leaves during Apr also.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

Fresco art at the Lahor Shahi Fort depicting flora.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

It has long life. Supporting itself for last 140 years approximately at Lahore Fort.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

Leaves are glossy green and thick, Making an abundant shade. Leaves also used in curry.
Photo Rashad 10 Nov 13

Figs fruit of tree. A staple food for the wild life. Pollination by a kind of wasp.
 Photo Rashad 23 Oct 13

• Happy viewing and reading.

Peacock flower- An ornamental strike to sight!

Peacock flower- Use in landscape

• Botanical name is Caesalpinia (sesul-PINNY-uh) pulcherrima (pul- carry-ma). Name Poinciana  pulcherrima is no more used. 
• Its many common names tinkle something about this plant- find that for yourself- - Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise, Pride of Barbados (Caribbean island) ,Flamboyan-de-Jardin. Dwarf Poinciana. Local name is Chota Gul Mohr. Thrives in Lahore- (US hardiness Zone 8a- 11). Has use in medicines, dyes and as gum or mouth wash.

Call it Red Bird of Paradise. Photo Rashad 7 Nov 13.

Hardy, quick growing, tall 8- 10 feet. Photo Rashad Sep 13

Sun beaming the yellow flowered cultivar-- called Phoenix.
 Prune it back for compact look. Photo Rashad 6 Sep 13.

Bears partial shade. Adds to the facade vigorously.
 Photo Rashad Oct 13.

Soften the mid summer sun with blooms. Still at bloom.
Photo Rashad 9 Nov 13

Raceme- Clusters of  red- orange and yellow- orange flowers.
Tolerates drought, but water for flowers.
Photo Rashad May 13

Cones to the heavens. Summer walk after sunset. Street light enlivens it. Are the residents proud?
Many heads with singular aim- heavens. Practice!
Photo Rashad 4 Sep 13 

Name the Beauty. Not from the list above.
Photo Rashad Sep 13

• Happy reading and viewing, readers!

Jatropha- Being visited by butterflies. R U?

Jatropha, Spicy Jatropha

• Jatropha (jut- roofa) integerrima,  is a commonly sighted ornamental plant, being conducive to Lahore weather. It has many varieties, some are of economic importance. Has medicinal value too. One can grow it in containers. 

Add colors to garden, Repeated blooms in four shades of color.
 Photo Rashad, 3 Nov 13

Evergreen shrub. It's base can be illuminated by other plants.
Thrives on low water and care. Photo Rashadm, 3 Nov 13

Sharing the nectar. Improving my attitude to share and care.
Photo Rashad, 3 Nov 13

Jatropha integerrima 'Variegata‘.  I like it. Photo Rashad, 3 Nov 13

Rejuvenating- my counting skills. Bring butterflies to your home. One, Two, Three,,,, here... and many more.. there.... with you all.  Photo Rashad, 3 Nov 13

• Happy viewing and reading, readers.