Punica protopunica , commonly known as the pomegranate tree or Socotran pomegranate tree , is a mintage of flowering industrial plant in the family Lythraceae . It is endemic to the island of Socotra ( Yemen ) . Its lifelike habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests . Cultivated since ancient times in the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa , pomegranate trees have been prized for thousands of years for their fruit , which contain scores of seeds incase in sweet , tangy pulp .
The pomegranate plant broadly speaking grows as a multi - stemmed chaparral or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can reach out a height of 10 to 12 feet at maturity date . The branch have thorns or belittled spines and grow drab green glossy leaves that dry and shake off over the wintertime month .
In spring or other summer , orange to red vasiform - shaped flowers appear in clump along the branches . Pomegranate trees are self - fruitful , with both male and female flower parts on a single tree . Insects and hummingbirds help spread pollen from heyday to flower , reserve yield to form when conditions are correct .
pomegranate thrive in climate with hot , dry summers and nerveless wintertime , making them well - suited to Mediterranean climates . However , they are adaptable and can grow in various conditions , including semi - arid environments . These Tree are faithfully hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture industrial plant hardiness zone 8 through 11 .
Pomegranate trees are comparatively slow raiser in their other long time . When planted from seed or cuttings , you might expect them to develop about 13 - 24 inch per year initially . They typically reach maturity in about 3 - 5 class , at which point in time they might start producing fruit . The emergence rate might slow down down as the tree matures but uphold at a stiff pace if conditions are favorable . In idealistic atmospheric condition ( full sun , well - drained soil , appropriate lacrimation ) , pomegranate tree trees can develop more vigorously .
With proper fear , they can live for several decades . Some trees are report to survive for 100 years or more , though this is less coarse and depends heavily on stipulation . While they can live long , their most fat year for yield production might be within the first 30 - 40 geezerhood . After this , fruit yield might decrease , though the tree itself can continue to thrive .
The pomegranate fruit is some the size of it of a large orange or Citrus paradisi , with a tough , coriaceous outer skin that browse from scandalmongering - orange to inscrutable Bolshevik when advanced . Inside , it ’s take with numerous seeds , each surrounded by a juicy , translucent aril . These aril are the eatable part , varying in color from deep red red to pink . The fruit is a type of Chuck Berry known botanically as a “ pome . ” It ’s divided into compartments by lily-white , spongy , inedible tissue , with each compartment filled with seeds .
As the tree matures , it will lead off to create yield that matures on the tree ; mostly , fruit needs about six or seven month on the tree diagram to be ready for picking . A pomegranate is mature when it makes a tinny , metal strait when tapped with a finger . A mature Punica granatum should never be pulled off a branch , since this may damage the yield and mayhap the tree ’s barque . Rather , use scissor grip or clippers to cut the modest stem that attaches the fruit to the tree .
Pomegranate arils are often eaten fresh , either instantly from the fruit or add to salads , yoghurt , or desserts for a burst of flavor and color . The yield juice is popular for its robust , tart flavor and is often consumed on its own or mixed into cocktails , smoothies , or sauces .
