Punica

Punica is a small genus of fruit-bearing deciduous shrubs or small trees in the family Lythraceae. The better known species is the Pomegranate (Punica granatum). The other species, Punica protopunica, is less widely known.

Description

The genus Punica is characterized by its fruit, a type of berry known as a pome, which is a fleshy fruit with a hard rind, derived from an inferior ovary. The pome is typically red to purple in color, and contains numerous seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a layer of juicy, red pulp.

Species

There are two species in the genus Punica:

• Punica granatum - The pomegranate, native to Iran and northern India.
• Punica protopunica - The Socotra pomegranate, native to the Socotra islands in the Indian Ocean.

Cultivation and uses

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is widely cultivated for its fruit, which is used in cooking, baking, juices, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine. The fruit is also used in traditional medicine, and the juice has been found to have antioxidant properties.

The Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica) is not as widely cultivated, and little is known about its uses.

See also

• Lythraceae
• Pomegranate
• Socotra

References

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  Pomegranate fruit

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  Punica granatum

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  Punica protopunica on Socotra