Types of Pomegranate Trees

Pomegranate trees and their fruit have been prized for thousands of years. Dried pomegranates have even been found in royal tombs from ancient Egypt. The delectable red seeds of the pomegranate fruit have been used in cooking and beverages throughout the Mediterranean countries of Europe, and have more recently become popular and largely cultivated even in North America.

The Pomegranate Tree

The pomegranate tree is a member of the genus Punica. It is a deciduous tree, losing its leaves every season after flowering and fruiting. It is native to Iran and grows widespread throughout the Near East and the Mediterranean.

Characteristics

The pomegranate is a large bush to small tree, with small green leaves and bright red-orange trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters. The pomegranate fruit is red-orange and lemon-sized, with a thin outer skin and typically more than 500 interior edible bright red seeds, or arils, surrounded by a white membrane.

Punica Granatum

There are only three varietals in the Punica genus. The most common, widespread and recognizable is the original Punica grantum, which grows native all over the Mediterranean. It is now cultivated in North America as well.

Punica Granatum Nana

Punica granatum nana is a dwarf variety of the original pomegranate, and is cultivated all over the world as a bonsai or container bush.

Punica Protopunica

The Punica Protopunica is the final varietal in the Punic genus and is native only to the Socotra Islands, a small island chain in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Horn of Africa. The protopunica has pink flowers instead of red, and its smaller fruit is not as sweet as the more well known Punica granatum.