POMEGRANATE, DELIMA

The pomegranate originated from Persia. It does not grow very well in this country. It is a weak shrub with sparse foliage growing to a height of 3-4 meters. It can also be planted in pots, as some people are satisfied just to have only the flowers which are fairly large and attractive, bright orange in color. The fruits are found at the end of twigs or branches which usually droop as the fruits are heavy and the branches weak. Each fruit may, under local conditions, grow to 10-12.5 cm diameter. It has smooth shiny skin, greenish with a tinge of red when young but turning brownish yellow or reddish when ripe. The tip of the fruit is crowned with the remains of the sepals. Each fruit is divided into about half a dozen compartment. Each compartment contains many small seeds surrounded by skinny pinkish red flesh which is full of juice. The seeds are packed tightly together. It is difficult to eat this fruit as each seed has to be taken out slowly and there is not much to eat. Although this species has been introduced for a long time, it is not very widely grown.