* ''Punica grandiflora '' <small>hort. ex Steud. </small>
* ''Punica nana '' <small>L. </small>
* ''Punica spinosa '' <small>Lam.</small>
}}
The '''pomegranate''', botanical name '''''Punica granatum''''', is a [[fruit]]-bearing [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] that grows between {{convert|5|and|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. It is also called 'anar' in India.
[[File:Pomegranate 5.jpg|alt=Pomegranate on tree|thumb|Pomegranate on tree]]
[[File:Pomegranate juice with slice.jpg|alt=Pomegranate juice with slice|thumb|Pomegranate juice with slice]]
Although previously placed in its own family '''Punicaceae''', recent [[Phylogeny|phylogenetic]] studies have shown that ''Punica'' belongs in the family [[Lythraceae]], and it is classified in that family by the [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group]].
[[File:Pomegranate fruit - whole and piece with arils.jpg|thumb]]
The '''pomegranate''' (''Punica granatum'') is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall.
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==Name==
The name "'''pomegranate'''" comes from [[medieval Latin]] ''pōmum'' "apple" and ''grānātum'' "seeded".
The French term for pomegranate, ''grenade'', has given its name to the military [[grenade]].
== Description ==
[[File:1-albero,_Taccuino_Sanitatis,_Casanatense_4182..jpg|thumb|left|Historical illustration of a pomegranate tree]]
The pomegranate is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It is known for its bright red flowers and its fruit, which is a berry with a tough outer rind and a multitude of seeds encased in juicy arils.
''Punica granatum'', the [[Binomial nomenclature|scientific name]] of the pomegranate, was given by [[Carolus Linnaeus]] in 1753 in ''[[Species Plantarum]]'' (Vol. 1, page 472) ''Punica'' comes from the [[Latin language|Latin]] name for the pomegranate, ''malum punicum'', meaning "apple from [[Carthage]]", and ''granatum'' from medieval Latin meaning "seeded", "with seeds".
=== Leaves ===
The leaves of the pomegranate are opposite or subopposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad.
==Description==
=== Flowers ===
The pomegranate is a shrub or small tree that could grow up to 10 meters of height with many branches with [[Thorns, spines and prickles|spines]]. [[Leaf|Leaves]] are [[Leaf#Morphology|opposite]] long and {{Convert|2|cm|in|abbr=on}} broad. The [[flower]]s are yellow to bright red and {{Convert|3|cm|in|abbr=on }} in [[diameter]], with three to seven [[petal]]s.
[[File:Flower_of_Pomegranate.jpg|thumb|right|Flower of pomegranate]]
The flowers are bright red and 3 cm in diameter, with four to five petals.
Fruits are [[Berry|berries]] with a strong skin, like [[leather]], intermediate in size between a [[lemon]] and a [[grapefruit]], {{convert|5|–|12|cm|abbr=on}} in diameter.
=== Fruit ===
''P. granatum'' [[variety (botany)|var.]] ''nana'' is a dwarf variety of ''P. granatum'' popularly planted as an [[ornamental plant]] in gardens and larger containers, and used as a [[bonsai]] specimen tree.
[[File:Pomegranate_fruit_-_whole_and_piece_with_arils.jpg|thumb|left|Whole pomegranate and a piece with arils]]
The fruit is typically in season in the Northern Hemisphere from September to February, and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May. The pomegranate fruit is a berry, with a tough outer rind and a multitude of seeds encased in juicy arils.
==Where it grows==
== Cultivation ==
The pomegranate originated in the region of modern-day [[Iran]], and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the [[Mediterranean]] region and northern [[India]]. It was brought into [[America]] in the late 16th century, including [[California]], by [[New Spain|Spanish]] settlers.
[[File:Pomegranate_Fruit_Setting.jpg|thumb|right|Pomegranate fruit setting]]
Pomegranates are cultivated for their fruit, which is eaten fresh or processed into juice. They are also used in cooking, baking, meal garnishes, juice blends, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.
Today, it is widely cultivated throughout the [[Middle East]] and [[Caucasus]] region, [[north Africa|north]] and [[tropics|tropical]] [[Africa]], the [[Indian subcontinent]], [[Central Asia]], the drier parts of [[southeast Asia]], and parts of the [[Mediterranean Basin]]. It is also cultivated in parts of [[Arizona]] and California.
The pomegranate has been cultivated throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and Mediterranean region for several millennia. It holds cultural significance in various religions and traditions, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and prosperity.
== Related Pages ==
* [[Fruit]]
* [[Berry]]
* [[Lythraceae]]
* [[Juice]]
== Interesting facts about {{PAGENAME}} ==
*Are you aware that pomegranates contain hundreds of seeds?
*Are you aware that the name pomegranate is derived from the Latin words meaning “apple of numerous seeds”?
*Are you aware that pomegranates are also called “Chinese Apples”?
*Are you aware that in ancient times the juice of the pomegranate was used as a dye and also as a medicine?
*Are you aware that years ago nomads took pomegranates with them into the desert because they were a thirst quencher and they lasted for months without drying out?
*Are you aware that pomegranates grow on small trees 12-16 feet tall?
*Are you aware that pomegranates are available from September thru December?
*Are you aware that pomegranates are the size of a large orange?
*Are you aware that pomegranates have a leathery, thick, smooth, reddish-pink skin?
*Are you aware that the inside of a pomegranate consists of clusters of seeds encased in bright cranberry-red pulp that are surrounded by bitter, white membranes ?
*Are you aware that the red pulp has a sweet and tart taste?
*Are you aware that you can eat the red pulp and the seeds of the pomegranate? (Some people eat the seed and pulp while others eat just the pulp and spit out the seed.)
*Are you aware that the pomegranate seeds are crunchy?
*Are you aware that pomegranates are very, very juicy?
*Are you aware that pomegranate juice can stain your clothes?
*Are you aware that pomegranate seeds make a beautiful garnish for fruit salads?
*Are you aware that grenadine is made from pomegranate juice? (Grenadine is used as a sauce for cooked fruit and is added to beverages.)
*Are you aware that pomegranate juice is a healthy beverage? (Be careful not to drink too much as it is very high in sugar and calories!)
*Are you aware that pomegranate juice is high in antioxidants which are believed to help prevent heart problems?
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Pommegranate tree01.JPG|Plant of pomegranate with fruits
File:Цветущий гранат.jpg|Flowers of pomegranate
File:Pomegranate seeds.jpg|Seeds of pomegranate
File:Pomseeds2.jpg|Seeds of pomegranate
File:Punica granatum bonsai 1.jpg|[[Bonsai]] of pomegranate
</gallery>
==Other websites==
* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/63531/0 IUCN Red List - ''Punica granatum'']
The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall.
The pomegranate is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 meters tall. It is known for its bright red flowers and its fruit, which is a berry with a tough outer rind and a multitude of seeds encased in juicy arils.
The fruit is typically in season in the Northern Hemisphere from September to February, and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May. The pomegranate fruit is a berry, with a tough outer rind and a multitude of seeds encased in juicy arils.
Pomegranates are cultivated for their fruit, which is eaten fresh or processed into juice. They are also used in cooking, baking, meal garnishes, juice blends, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.
The pomegranate has been cultivated throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and Mediterranean region for several millennia. It holds cultural significance in various religions and traditions, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and prosperity.
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