Pomegranate

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree in the division Rosidae, subfamily Punicoideae. The name "pomegranate" comes from Latin pomum ("apple") and granus ("seed"). In Hebrew, the pomegranate is called רימון (rimon). Other relevant translations include Granada in Spanish, Granatapfel in German, and Pomelo in Italian. The pomegranate is native to the region extending from the Himalayas to the southern Xingjiang in northwestern China. It has been cultivated for food and for ornamental purposes in the Mediterranean region for over 4,000 years. The fruit is typically the size of an orange, with a thick reddish skin and numerous seeds surrounded by a juicy, red, or pink aril. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and have been used in various medicinal applications throughout history.