1. Genus: Punica Family: Lythraceae
Pomegranate
Genus: Punica
Family: Lythraceae

2. Classification and Relatives
Punica granatum – Pomegranate
Common variety
Punica protopunica – Socotra pomegranate
Smaller, less sweet fruit
Classification and Relatives

3. History of Cultivation
Persia (area of modern-day Iraq and Iran)– 3500 BC
Egypt – 1780 BC
Jericho (modern day Palestine) – 1600 BC
China – 900 BC
Brought to North America by the Spanish in 1769
History of Cultivation

4. Cultivation Grown as a fruit crop.
Ornamental trees and shrubs in parks and gardens.
Mature specimens can develop sculptural twisted bark multi-trunks.
Drought-tolerant
Prone to root decay and fungal disease in wet areas.
Moderately frost tolerant.
Down to about -12 °C (10 °F)
Cultivation

5. Grows easily from seed.
Commonly propagated from cm hardwood cuttings.
Cultivated in Mediterranean region of southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, southeast Asia, California and Arizona.

6. Characteristics Deciduous shrub or small tree between 5-8 meters tall.
Leaves are opposite, glossy, narrow and oblong.
Flowers are bright red with four to five petals.
Fruit is 5-12 cm in diameter with a rounded shape.
Has a thick reddish skin.
seeds each surrounded by the edible aril.
Characteristics

9. Uses Cooking Baking Juices Smoothies
Alcoholic beverages such and martinis and wine
Uses

11. Potential Health Benefits
Preliminary research shows that metabolites of pomegranate juice may:
Reduce the risks of heart disease
Lower systolic blood pressure
Increase salivary testosterone levels
Affect mood, anxiety or emotions
Potential Health Benefits

12. Used in India as source of traditional remedies for thousands of years.
Symbol of prosperity and ambition in ancient Egypt.
Symbol of fertility in ancient China.
Symbol of the goddess Persephone in ancient Greece.
Known as the fruit of the dead.
Mentioned in Babylonian texts, the Book of Exodus, the Homeric Hymns and the Quran.
Historical Facts

13. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate
Sources