Common Name: Pomegranate

General Information

Punica granatum is a deep-rooted but slow-growing, spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree that has an open canopy and a crown that branches from low down. It can reach a height of around 5 metres.
A multipurpose tree, it is particularly valued for its edible fruit, but also has medicinal properties, is a good source of tannins and has many agroforestry applications. The plant is often cultivated as a fruit crop in warm temperate to subtropical zones, where it is also grown as an ornamental. It is also grown in the tropics, though mainly as an ornamental since it seldom fruits well there[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - Turkey and the Caucasus, east through Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan to northwestern India

Habitat

Dry limestone soils at elevations up to 2,700 metres in the Himalayas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The pomegranate is a plant of the subtropical and warm temperate zones. It can also succeed in the less humid areas of the tropics, but fruits less well there. The best quality fruits are grown in dry climates[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 32°c, but can tolerate 8 - 40°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c, although young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 400 - 4,200mm[]. In the temperate zone the main factors affecting its success as a fruit crop are too much moisture and a lack of summer heat - thus although the plant will often succeed as an ornamental in more maritime regions such as western Britain, it will seldom fruit there.
Requires a sheltered sunny position[]. An easily grown plant, succeeding in soils that are light or heavy, and preferring a well-drained fertile soil[, , ] and succeeds in a hot dry position[]. Grows poorly in calcareous soils[]. Tolerant of at least moderate saline levels[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 5.8 - 8.5[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Seedling plants can commence fruiting when 3 - 4 years old[].
Yields may be about 100 - 200 kilos of fruit per fully developed tree per year, which is about 50 - 200 fruits per tree or up to 10 tonnes per hectare[]
Most plants of this species grown in cooler and moister regions of the temperate zone are likely to be the dwarf cultivar 'Nana'. This is hardier than the type but its fruit, even if produced, is not such good quality[]. This sub-species fruited on an east-facing wall at Kew in the hot summer of 1989[].
Flowers are produced on the tips of the current years growth[].
Plants often sucker freely[].
There are many named varieties[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , , ]. Juicy and refreshing with a sub-acid flavour[], they are considered delicious by many people though others do not like the large number of seeds with relatively little fruit pulp[]. The fruit is 5 - 13cm in diameter, it has a hard, tough case that contains lots of seeds, each surrounded by a delicious juicy red flesh[, ]. The fruit juice can be used in soups, sauces, jellies, ice cream, cakes etc[]. The fruit contains about 1.5% protein, 1.6% fat, 16.8% carbohydrate, 0.6% ash[, ]. Annual yields from wild trees in the Himalayas averaged 32kg per tree[]. The fruit is about 12cm in diameter[].

The fresh seed is soft and can be eaten raw[]. When dried it is used as a seasoning known as 'anaedana' in northern India, where it is used in dhal, fried samosa, stuffings and chutneys[, ].

The boiled leaves are said to be eaten[].

Medicinal

The pomegranate has a long history of herbal use dating back more than 3,000 years[]. All parts of the plant contain unusual alkaloids, known as 'pelletierines', which paralyse tapeworms so that they are easily expelled from the body by using a laxative[]. The plant is also rich in tannin, which makes it an effective astringent. It is used externally in the treatment of vaginal discharges, mouth sores and throat infections[].

The whole plant, but in particular the bark, is antibacterial, antiviral and astringent[, , , , , ]. This remedy should be used with caution, overdoses can be toxic[, ].

The flowers are used in the treatment of dysentery, stomach ache and cough[]. Along with the leaves and seeds, they have been used to remove worms[]. The juice of the flowers is used to treat nose bleeds[].

The seeds are demulcent and stomachic[, ]. A decoction of the seed is used to treat syphilis[].

The fruit is a mild astringent and refrigerant in some fevers and especially in biliousness[]. It is also cardiac and stomachic[]. The juice of the fruit is used to treat jaundice and diarrhoea[]. Combined with the juice of Cynodon dactylon leaves, it is used for treating runny noses and colds[].

The dried rind of the fruit is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea etc[, ]. It is a specific remedy for tapeworm infestation[]. The rind of the fruit is ground in water and drunk every morning by diabetics[].

The stem bark is emmenagogue[]. Both the stem and the root barks are used to expel tapeworms[]. Use this with caution, the root bark can cause serious poisoning[].The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The dried pericarp is decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of colic, dysentery, leucorrhoea etc[].

An ethyl alcohol extract of the fruit has shown interesting oestrogenic properties. In addition, it has been shown to reduce cell death from oxidation. The plant has potential as an active ingredient in preparations for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A deep rooting tree, it is important in soil erosion control, and is planted along rivers to stabilize banks[].
A drought tolerant tree, it is suitable for arid and semi-arid zone reforestation[].
The leaf litter decomposes slowly and is suitable for mulching[].
The plant is also used in water purification schemes[].
Plants are grown as hedges in Mediterranean climates[]. Their wind firm stature makes them a good wind break[]. They are also sometimes used for fencing[].
The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the flowers and also from the rind of unripened fruits[, , , ]. The dye can be red or black and it is also used as an ink[]. It is coppery-brown in colour[]. No mordant is required[]. A fast yellow dye is obtained from the dried rind[].

The dried peel of the fruit contains about 26% tannin[, ]. The bark can also be used as a source of tannin[]. The root bark contains about 22% tannin, a jet-black ink can be made from it[].

The yellow wood is very hard, compact, close grained, durable. Of rather small dimensions, it can be used for making agricultural implements, domestic wodware, handles, small implements etc. A possible substitute for box, Buxus spp[, , , , , ].
The wood is often used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse, preferably at a temperature of 22°c[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 growing seasons. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 5cm with a heel, early summer/July in a frame[, ]. Good percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 25cm long, late autumn in a warm greenhouse[].
Layering.
Division of suckers in the dormant season[]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we prefer to pot them up first and plant them out when they are growing away well in late spring or early summer.