Here is a clear and complete description of the pomegranate plant:

Pomegranate Plant (Punica granatum) – Description

The pomegranate plant is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree known for its vibrant red fruit filled with juicy, edible seeds called arils. It is prized both for its beauty and for its nutritious, antioxidant-rich fruit.

🌿 Botanical Information:

Scientific Name: Punica granatum

Family: Lythraceae (formerly in Punicaceae)

Common Names: Pomegranate, Anar (Hindi), Grenade (French), Rumman (Arabic)

🌳 Plant Characteristics:

Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Height: Typically grows 2–5 meters (6–16 feet) tall

Lifespan: Can live for 50 years or more, with some trees living over 100 years

Growth Habit: Bushy, with multiple stems (can be pruned into a single-trunk tree)

🍃 Leaves:

Shape: Narrow, oblong, and glossy

Color: Bright green, turning yellow in fall

Arrangement: Opposite or in whorls

🌸 Flowers:

Color: Bright red to orange-red

Shape: Tubular with crinkled petals

Blooming Time: Late spring to early summer

Pollination: By bees and other insects (some varieties are self-pollinating)

🍎 Fruit (Pomegranate):

Size: About the size of an apple (5–12 cm in diameter)

Color: Outer skin (rind) is tough and leathery—usually red, pink, or yellowish

Interior: Filled with hundreds of arils—juicy seed casings that are red or pink

Taste: Sweet-tart and refreshing

Seeds: Edible along with the aril, though some varieties have softer seeds than others

🌞 Growing Conditions:

Climate: Prefers tropical to subtropical and Mediterranean climates

Temperature: Best between 15°C–35°C (59°F–95°F); tolerates drought and heat

Light: Requires full sun for best fruit production

Soil: Well-drained loamy or sandy soil; tolerates a range of soil types including poor soils

pH Range: 5.5–7.2

Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

🌱 Propagation:

Common Methods:

Cuttings: Most reliable method for true-to-type plants

Seeds: Slower, and offspring may vary in fruit quality

📅 Fruiting & Harvest:

First fruiting: Usually within 2–3 years of planting (from cuttings)

Harvest time: Late summer to early winter, depending on climate

Yield: Mature trees can produce 50–100+ fruits per season

🧃 Uses:

Culinary:

Eaten fresh

Used in juices, salads, desserts, sauces, syrups (e.g., grenadine)

Medicinal:

Rich in vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, and polyphenols

Used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and heart health benefits

Cultural:

Symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity in many cultures

Frequently referenced in mythology, art, and religion

⚠️ Fun Facts:

A single pomegranate can contain 600–1,400 arils.

Ancient Egyptians were buried with pomegranates as symbols of rebirth.

The pomegranate is one of the seven species mentioned in the Bible as special products of the Land of Israel.