Pomegranate+Tree!!!



PLANT: The scientific name of pomegranates, or grenada is "Punica granatum" (USDA, 2010). The pomegranate belongs to the Punica L. genus (Marshall, 1979).



Pomegranate in Latin means, “Seeded apple” (worknik, 2008). Appearance wise, the pomegranate looks like an apple, when cracked open, there are many small red seeds (LeRoy, 2010). Hence, that is where the name came from. The pomegranate fruit has a tight, leathery red, burgundy or pink skin, with an opening at the top (LeRoy, 2010). The inside of the Pomegranate is filled with hundreds of red, small, juice-filled seeds (LeRoy, 2010). The seeds are protected with a layer of white bitter walls (LeRoy, 2010). The leaves of the grenada plant are thick and waxy. They are heavy, long and flat, and grow usually around the fruits and flowers (LeRoy, 2010). The pomegranate tree is small and short, around twelve to sixteen feet high, and can live to 200 years old (LeRoy, 2010). They start bearing fruits after three years. The trunk of the tree is dark brown, with a hue of red; they can turn grey after a period of time (LeRoy, 2010).



Pomegranate trees grow in the sunniest, and warmest parts of the environment, but it does grow in part shades as well (California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc., 1997). The tree grows best in moist regular sold, and also grows on acidic loam and rock-strewn gravel (California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc., 1997). Pomegranate trees originate in Iran, but can be found in the Middle East, Mediterranean Regions, Israel and Asia (InnVista, 2009). The pomegranate can now be found in Southern United States to the Southern Parts of South America (InnVista, 2009).



PRODUCT: One of the most common products produced from the pomegranate tree is the pomegranate juice. One of the most popular brands, "POM Wonderful"can be found in our local food markets. The juice of the pomegranate is extracted from the juice-filled red sacs within the pomegranate fruit. Farmers pick the fruits from the trees, and then cut the fruits open. The

 seed are then gently taken out, because if taken out roughly, the seeds will burst. Then the juice is created by placing the seeds in a electric blender, or pressing the juice out with  heavy machinery (Kivi, R. 2009). Behold, the pomegranate juice was born. There are many other pomegranate products outthere in the world. Pomegranates are an excellent way  to dye clothes and fabrics, there are many pomegranate cosmetic products, such as lotions, soaps, hair products etc. Pomegranates are also used as medication and diet pills.

