Punica granatum

Scientific name: Punica granatum

Family: Punicaceae

Common name:  Pomegranate, Anar

An attractive shrub or small tree, to 20 or 30 ft (6 or 10 m) high, the pomegranate is much-branched, more or less spiny, and extremely long-lived, some specimens at Versailles known to have survived two centuries. It has a strong tendency to sucker from the base. The leaves are evergreen or deciduous, opposite or in whorls of 5 or 6, short-stemmed, oblong-lanceolate, 3/8 to 4 in (1-10 cm) long, leathery. Showy flowers are home on the branch tips singly or as many as 5 in a cluster. The interior is separated by membranous walls and white spongy tissue (rag) into compartments packed with transparent sacs filled with tart, flavorful, fleshy, juicy, red, pink or whitish pulp (technically the aril). In each sac, there is one white or red, angular, soft or hard seed. The seeds represent about 52% of the weight of the whole fruit.

Punica granatum Plant

Pomegranate

Interesting Facts

§  Punica granatum is nicknamed the "Jewel of Winter" because it is in season from September to January in the Northern Hemisphere.

§  Color does not indicate the ripeness of pomegranate fruit. Rather, fruit should be selected based on weight. The heavier a pomegranate is, the more juice it holds.

§  November is National Pomegranate Month.

§  According to legend there are 613 arils in each pomegranate, which is the same number of commandments in the Jewish faith.

§  Similar to human hair, the bark of a pomegranate tree turns gray with age.

§  Punica granatum was present during biblical times. It is thought that pomegranate may have been the “forbidden fruit” in the Garden of Eden.

§  Pomegranates symbolize fertility, success, and wealth.

§  The city of Grenada, Spain is named after Punica granatum.

§  Pomegranate trees are commonly sold at tree farms throughout the Midwest. However, to survive the winter, they may need to be brought indoors.

§  The inside of the fruit can be a variety of different colours, ranging from shades of light orange to deep red.

§  There are multiple variations of pomegranates, each possessing slightly different characteristics. These differences are evident in fruit size, juice sweetness, and durability of the seeds.

§  Pomegranates are used in creating a wide variety of dishes, including salads, dressings, salsas, main dishes, desserts, breads, syrups, and wines.

§  To maximize fruit production, trees should be trimmed in each of the first three years of growth.

Medicinal Properties

Pomegranate has been used for thousands of years to cure a wide range of diseases across different cultures and civilizations. It has great nutritional values and numerous health benefits. Pomegranate prevents from diseases like, Cancer, Osteoarthritis etc. The pomegranate has been used in natural and holistic medicine to treat sore throats, coughs, urinary infections, digestive disorders, skin disorders, arthritis, and to expel tapeworms. Studies also show that pomegranate seeds might help rid the digestive system of fats. Clinical research shows that pomegranates, when part of a healthy diet, might help prevent heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. This is because pomegranates have the potential to thin the blood, increase blood flow to the heart, reduce blood pressure, reduce plaque in the arteries, and reduce bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. A decoction of seed is used to treat syphilis. Juice used to treat jaundice and diarrhoea. Juice of flower is used to treat nose bleeds. The fruit pulp and the seed are stomachic. Dried, pulverized flower buds are employed as a remedy for bronchitis.