LEMON TREE VERY PRETTY

Fruit Orchards were an essential cornerstone of Mughal Gardens . It is said Pomegranates were introduced to India by the first Mughal Emperor Babar.

The Aga Khan Foundation has given the Sunder Nursery in New Delhi a makeover and recreated a spectacular Mughal Garden  (in turn  inspired by Persian Gardens ) of the 15th Century .

An orchard of Citrus trees encircle the Sunder Burj , have a look at the Pretty  Tree  in the picture below.

History backs this beautiful Lime Tree

Sour Lime ( English) , Nimbu ( Hindi), Nimbukah ( Sanskrit) or Citrus aurantifolia ( Scientific name) belongs to the Citrus family called Rutaceae.

Not as thick skinned as the Lemons, the Lime is nonetheless very similar.

These  lavender coloured buds   exude a lovely  but typically citrus aroma which attracts a large number of pollinators.

flower buds

The flowers grow in clusters , are white in colour with a brush of lavender.

The Lime flowers have a distinctive and sweet aroma which is infused in the leaves as well.

The double  leaves of the Citrus family are a distinctive feature of the Lime Tree as well, thought not as pronounced in this species at the Sunder Nursery.

bouquet of flowers

Having completed their task the petals are shed and the flowers gradually transform into Fruits.

The Lime Tree is a unique distinctive species, native to the Indian Sub Continent. Rich in Vitamin C it was the cure for the dreaded disease Scurvy.

British sailors were administered Lime to combat Scurvy which they contracted on account of long journeys at Sea. They were thus nicknamed Limeys.

transforming from flower to fruit

The fully developed Lime fruits have numerous Medicinal Properties as well. It combats Obesity, acts as a Natural Tranquilizer as it calms the nerves, helps in treating Hypertension and is an Antiseptic as well.

bunch of lime fruits

Remember the song Lemon Tree Very Pretty. 

The Lime tree has travelled a long journey from India to Arabia in the 10th century. To Spain from Arabia through the Moors and from Spain  to the Americas.

Even the word Lime is derived from the word limun in Arabic or Persian.