Punica
Flowers and fruits of pomegranate ( Punica granatum )
The pomegranate ( Punica ) are the only genus in the subfamily of Punicoideae within the family of Lythraceae ( Lythraceae ). Your only be attributed to two types. Varieties of the pomegranate tree ( Punica granatum ) are used as a fruit tree and ornamental shrub, its natural range is in Europe and Asia. The second type, the Socotra pomegranate, grows naturally only on the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean group.
Description
Pomegranates are deciduous, densely branched and thorny shrubs or small trees with sharp branches. The leaves are usually opposite, rosettes on short shoots. The leaf blade is simple and entire. There shall be no stipules.
The flowers are in clusters of one to five individual flowers in the leaf axils or terminally. The five to eight triangular and fleshy sepals remain to fruit maturity. The five to seven petals are dachziegelig. There are a large number of stamens formed. Nine carpels are fused to an under standing, multi-chambered ovary. Each flower contains a short stylus.
As globular fruits 6-8 inches thick leathery berries with yellow, red or red-brown pericarp are formed more or less. The fruits contain numerous angular seeds with a juicy outer and a leathery, solid inner shell.
Distribution and habitat requirements
The genus consists of two species, the pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) is distributed from southeastern Europe to the Himalayas, which is Socotra Pomegranate ( Punica protopunica ) endemic to the archipelago of Socotra in the Indian Ocean.
System
The pomegranates are the only genus in the subfamily Punicoideae, which is expected to the family of Lythraceae ( Lythraceae ). So far, the genus own family Punicaceae been assigned.
The genus is attributed to two types:
- Pomegranate ( Punica granatum )
- Socotra Pomegranate ( Punica protopunica )
Use
One type, the pomegranate, is because of its fruit as a useful plant used due to the decorative flowers as an ornamental plant.