The pomegranate plant, Punica granatum, is a species that has been cultivated for thousands of years, originating in the Middle East and Asia. It is generally recognized as a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or a small tree, highly valued for its striking appearance in addition to its unique fruit. This detailed visual description of the pomegranate plant will outline its form, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Growth Habit and Woody Structure
The pomegranate typically exhibits a naturally bushy, multi-stemmed growth habit, often reaching a height between 10 and 20 feet. While naturally a shrub, it is frequently trained into a small tree form with a short trunk and a vase-shaped canopy in commercial settings. The plant maintains a tendency to produce numerous suckers, which are new shoots arising from the base, contributing to its dense form if left unpruned.
The bark on mature plants is thin and gray-brown, which may become slightly rough or peeling with age. Its branches are known for their stiff, somewhat angular growth. A notable feature is the common presence of sharp spines or thorns, particularly on new spring shoots and less cultivated varieties.
Foliage and Seasonal Appearance
Pomegranate leaves are small to medium, typically measuring between one and three inches long. They possess an oblong or lance-shaped form, tapering slightly at both ends. The leaves have a smooth, glossy texture and are bright, dark green during the summer months.
The arrangement of the leaves on the stems can be opposite or clustered together in whorls, especially on shorter branchlets. As a deciduous plant, the pomegranate offers a seasonal display. New foliage emerges with a bronze or reddish tint in the spring, and before dropping in the fall, the leaves transition to a soft, attractive yellow.
The Distinctive Flowers and Fruit
Flowers
Pomegranate plants produce showy flowers, typically blooming from late spring into early summer on new growth. The most common flower color is a brilliant orange-red to scarlet, though some ornamental varieties may feature pink, white, or double petals. The flowers are notable for their waxy, thick, and tubular calyx, which is the cup-like structure at the base of the flower formed by the fused sepals.
The plant is monoecious, meaning it bears both male and hermaphroditic (fruit-producing) flowers. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and feature five to seven wrinkled petals nestled within the prominent calyx lobes. Non-productive male flowers are typically more trumpet-shaped, while fertile flowers are bell-shaped and self-pollinating.
Fruit
The fruit of the pomegranate is a large berry, generally spherical in shape, ranging from two to five inches in diameter. A defining characteristic is its thick, leathery rind, which can range in color from yellow-brown to deep red or purplish-red as it ripens. This tough outer layer serves to protect the numerous interior seeds.
The most distinguishing visual feature of the fruit is the persistent calyx remnant, which remains attached at the end opposite the stem. This structure forms a woody, crown-like appendage on the mature fruit. While the thick rind protects the interior, clusters of juicy, translucent sacs, known as arils, contain the seeds and constitute the edible portion.