Evergreen Plants:
Evergreen plants can be defined as those plants that never lose their leaves and remain “evergreen” throughout the year and seasons. Although most of the plants are coniferous– which are plants characterized by needle-like or scaly leaves. However, not all evergreen plants are coniferous and some may even be deciduous.
In essence, the climate and weather the trees and plants are growing in also matter since in tropical areas, the weather may just not get as cold even during fall or winter season and therefore the plants do not shed and are able to keep their leaves. Those trees may also be considered as evergreen for their climate and habitat ecosystems.
Also check out: Endemic or Native Plant Species of Pakistan
List of Evergreen Plants In Pakistan:
There are a lot of evergreen plants in Pakistan and they are fairly popular as house décor and ornaments. There is a wide variety of them as many of them are able to thrive in Pakistan’s arid and hot climate. Some of them are mentioned below:
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- Golden Pothos: Also known as Devil’s Ivy or Money Plant and is commonly found in Australia, Asia and the West Indies- All considerably hot climates. It is an evergreen vine plant which means that this broad-leaved tropical plant is difficult to kill and can survive very tough conditions with minimal water and extremely low sunlight even. Its scientific name is Epipremnun aureum.
- Aloevera: Its scientific name is Aloe barbadensis miller. It is the most common plant in Pakistan and is found in almost every other household. It is a succulent and xerophytic- which means it can withstand tough and dry conditions with minimal water. It is composed of 99% water and the other 1% makes up with sugar, salts and sap that are rich in anti- bacterial and soothing properties. It is a common house plant in Pakistan.
- Tomatoes: This evergreen species of the tomato plant is found easily across all regions of Pakistan. It is also one of the plants that are deciduous but evergreen. Its scientific name is Solanum lycopersicum. It is commonly used for food and cooking purposes and can be grown easily in home gardens.
- Madagascar Periwinkle: It is another one of the most common flowering plants that you will find in Pakistan. It is also evergreen and a common sight to be seen in yards, house gardens and street sides. Its scientific name is Catharanthus roseus. It is an evergreen shrub and herbaceous plant.
- Arabian Jasmine: It is scientifically known as Jasmine sambac. It is frequently found across all of Asia almost and other than being the national flower of Pakistan, it also holds the same status for the countries of Philippines and Indonesia. Its local name is Chambeli. It is an evergreen shrubby plant also native to the Himalayan regions belonging to Pakistan.
- Moringa: Scientifically also known as Moringa oleifera. Commonly and locally also known by the genus name: moringa but also more commonly as Suhanjana. It is an evergreen plant typically used in food and is native to the sub-continent. It is also frequently found in yards and home gardens in Pakistan. It is a deciduous evergreen plant with many health benefits.
- Oleander: Scientifically known as Nerium oleander. It is commonly used as an ornamental plant in Pakistan and is capable of surviving through all seasons in Pakistan. One of the most common sights in Pakistan is the sight of oleander flowers that are five lobed flowers with no scent. It is also known by its species name commonly. It is a poisonous plant.
- Night Blooming Jasmine: Commonly or locally known as Raat ki Rani. It is also an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and tiny white flowers that give off a strong distinctive smell and bloom only at nights as the name indicates especially during summer nights. It attracts a large number of pollinators. Its scientific name is Cestrum nocturnum.
- Crepe myrtle: Its scientific name is Lagerstroemia indica. It is one of the most heat tolerant plants especially in Lahore. It is an evergreen vine bush meaning that it can be either grown as a bush or trained to climb like vines. Its common name does not exist in Pakistan as many people prefer to call it by its genus name or original scientific name however, in India it is known as Jarul, It is native to tropical South Asian region which includes Pakistan.
- Common Lantana: Its scientific name is Lantana camara Linn. It is native to central Europe and the Americas brought over to the sub-continent by the Dutch trade. It is however, an extremely invasive and toxic species and therefore considered to be a biodiversity reducing weed. It is often not seen in Pakistan as it is not allowed to grow and frequently removed from gardens and yards where it manages to grow.
Yo may also be interested in: 20 Harmful And Deadly Toxic and Poisonous Plants in Pakistan - Orange Jasmine: Orange Jasmine is a small, tropical evergreen shrub or tree. It gives off a very strong pleasant scent which is why it is very popular as an ornamental plant especially in Pakistan. It is a source of food for many species and attracts pollinators. It is a native to South Asia and not really related to the Arabian jasmine.
Its flowers are similarly shaped with 5 petals per flower however, most botanists agree that orange jasmine is not a flower at all but a certain type of evergreen tropical hardwood.
Its scientific name is Murraya paniculata and commonly known as Marva plant in Urdu. Often people do not know this as there is some confusion between Arabian Jasmine with a stronger scent and the orange jasmine which as a milder scent. However, due to being indistinguishable, people resort to calling both varieties Chambeli or Motia.
- African Wisteria Tree: Its scientific name is Bolusanthus speciosus. It is a deciduous evergreen plant and typically used as an ornamental plant due to its beautiful flowers. It can also help nitrogen fixation in nearby plants where it is planted so is very beneficial to plant in home gardens. It can often be seen in gardens and parks in Pakistan specifically Lahore.
- Pindrow Fir Tree: A coniferous evergreen tree found in Gilgit-Baltistan regions of Pakistan. It is scientifically known as Abies pindrow.
- Deodar Tree: Also the national tree of Pakistan. It is known as the Himalyan Cedar Deodar tree andits scientific name is Cedrus deodara. It is also a coniferous evergreen tree found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan where the climate is significantly warmer.
- Blue Pine Tree: It is scientifically known as Pinus wallichiana. Again it is common in the Northern Valleys and is a coniferous evergreen plant.
- Chir Pine: which is also scientifically known as Pinus roxburghii are more common variety of pine tree especially in Balochistan hills.
Check out this related article for some more info: Algae, Mosses, Ferns, Conifers, Flowering Plants of Pakistan
Conclusion:
There are a great may edible plants and flowering plants in Pakistan that are also edible however, only those that are found all over Pakistan at all times of the year are mentioned above. However, many evergreen plants in Pakistan are deciduous due to the tropical and hot climate we have. Coniferous species of plants are usually found in the Hunza valley of Northern Pakistan.
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