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Punica granatum L.

Synonym                    : Punica nana L.

Family                        : Punicaceae

Local Names              : Mathalam, Mathalanaregam, Pomegranate 

Flowering and fruiting period: March -

Distribution: Central & West Asia, West Himalaya, widely cultivated in East Himalaya, South Europe and Asia

Habitat: Cultivated

IUCN status: Data Deficient

Endemic: No

Uses: Fruits edible.  All parts of the plant contain unusual alkaloids, known as 'pelletierines', which paralyse tapeworms so that they are easily expelled from the body by using a laxative. The juice of the flowers is used to treat nose bleeds. A decoction of the seed is used to treat syphilis. The dried rind of the fruit is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea etc. It is a specific remedy for tapeworm infestation. A red dye is obtained from the flowers and also from the rind of unripened fruits.

Key Characters: Tree or shrub, l.5-5 m tall. Leaves glabrous, oblong-lanceolate. Flowers scarlet red or white. Calyx indented slightly above the middle, reddish; lobes 5-7. Petals and stamens inserted at the throat of the calyx. Petals broadly obovate. Ovary subglobose, reddish; stigma simple. Fruit globose, pale red to scarlet. Seeds red or pink, testa thick, fleshy and juicy.