Punica granatum Pomegranate
Family
Lythraceae
Genus
Punica
from Malus punica Apple of Carthage, an early name for the Pomogranate
Species
granatum
old name
The pomegranate (/ˈpɒmᵻɡrænᵻt/), botanical name Punica granatum, is a
fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree in the family Lythraceae that grows between
5 and 8 m (16 and 26 ft) tall. In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in
season from September to February, and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May. As
intact arils or juice, pomegranates are used in cooking, baking, meal garnishes, juice
blends, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine. 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 introduced into Spanish
America in the late 16th century and California by Spanish settlers in 1769. Today, it
is widely cultivated throughout the Middle East and Caucasus region, north Africa and
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 California
and Arizona. In recent years, it has become more common in the commercial markets of
Europe and the Western Hemisphere.