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Native Trees and Plants of Pakistan

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Native Trees of Pakistan

There is a great variety of native trees in Pakistan, which many of us cannot identify. The following is a photographic index of some of the trees you can see across the country.
– Text and photos by Sayed Qamar Mehdi


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The Arabic Gum tree (Acacia nilotica), locally known as "Kiker", is common in Punjab. It is known as "dukh such ka saathi": a friend through joy and sorrow.



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The Golden Shower tree (Casia Fistula), locally known as "Amaltas", bears a fruit which is used in local herbal medicine. It is also called "umeed ka phool": flower of hope.



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The White Marudha (Terminalia Arjuna), locally known as "Arjun", is a beautiful tree. In local languages it is called "baaghon ka muhafiz": protector of gardens.


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The Silk Cotton tree (Bombax Ceiba), locally known as "Sumbal". A tree that matches its name in beauty, and it is often covered with flowers and strands of silk.

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Salt Cedar (Tamarix Aphylla), locally known as "Okan". Some call it "meherban dost": the considerate friend.


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Indian Coral tree/Flame tree (Erythrina Stricta Subirosa), this tree bears different coloured flowers and is often called "Rangeela": or colourful.


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Indian Beech tree (Pongamia Pinata), locally known as "Sukh Chain" or the tree of tranquility and happiness.



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Camel's Foot tree (Bahunia Alba), locally known as "Kachnar". It bears a pod which is also cooked and eaten.


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Mexican Oleander (Nerium Oleander) locally known as "Kanair", is common in the villages and gardens of Punjab.


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Indian Temple tree (Plumieria) locally known as "Champa". This is a tree that needs no introduction, and bears a scent that has inspired many a poet.


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Chinese Rose (Hibiscus Sinensis), locally known as "Gularh". And is often called "Sada Suhangan": the evergreen.


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Jojoba (Ziziphus Mouritiana), locally known as "Bair", and bears the famous fruit of the same name.

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White Mulberry (Morus Alba), locally known as "Toote". This tree is famed for its shade and its fruit. A Punjabi saying "thandia chaun toot dian" celebrates the cool shade of this tree.


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Prosopis Cineraria (Prosopis Cineraria), locally known as "Jand"
 
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And you forgot the most common plant in Pakistan...
 
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The best trees for the city are those that take less water and provide shade. The best example is Neem, a very smart life form, which sucks in water from underground and provides cool shade. Other sensible choices are Gulmohar (Flame of the forest), and Amaltas (Indian Laburnum). These are deciduous trees that shed leaves, which proves to be very useful for Karachi.

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Indigenous varieties like Laal Badaam (Indian almond) and Jaamun (Syzygium cumini /jambolan) are also useful fruit-giving trees that give shade. Lignum is also a good option; it looks pretty, and uses less water, but takes time to become a shade giving tree. As it is a mid-sized tree, it is good to plant in areas where there are electricity wires above.


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The choice of the tree you plant also depends on where you plant it and the space available. This brings us to the second consideration – where should one plant trees?

For starters, if you are planting in a place other than your lawn, make sure you have permission to do so. Make sure the tree, once it has fully grown, will not interrupt electrical wires or obstruct underground sewage or water lines, or damage any walls. A good place is dividers or the place between your boundary wall and the road. Those living in apartments will have to be more creative, and settle mostly for plants that can be grown in pots on the roof. Yet, the important role green roofs can play must not be undermined.

The ideal planting season for trees is mid-February to mid-March and mid-July to mid-August. Trees can be planted at other times too but extremely hot or cold months should be avoided. This means that it is best not to plant in April, May, June, and October.


Farahnaz Zahidi
A writer and editor, who has worked as a Features Editor with The Express Tribune. Her focus is human-centric feature stories. She now writes as a freelancer, and works as a media trainer and communications practitioner. She tweets as @FarahnazZahidi (twitter.com/farahnazzahidi?lang=en).
 
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Naeem, shah toot, kachnar and sumbul on green belts on the sides of roads will do wonders.
Good for birds plus environment
 
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