pomegranate
Punica granatum
The name pomegranate translates to 'seeded apple' in medieval Latin, and the fruit was historically used as a symbol of fertility and abundance.
- Scientific name
- Punica granatum
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Myrtales › Lythraceae › Punica
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Semi-arid shrublands, dry rocky hillsides, and Mediterranean-climate woodlands.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, absorbing water and soil nutrients).
- Range
- Iran, Turkey, India, Mediterranean Basin, California (USA)
- Size
- Shrub or small tree, typically 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) tall
- Lifespan
- Up to 200 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in its native wild range, climate extremes, and agricultural pests like the pomegranate butterfly.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely approach and admire this woody shrub. Watch out for sharp thorns on the branches when harvesting or inspecting. If scratched, clean the wound with soap and water to prevent infection.
The pomegranate , 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.
Photo: H. Zell, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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