Punica granatum

Botanical Description

Punica granatum is a deep-rooted but slow-growing, spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree that has an open canopy and a crown that branches from low down. It can reach a height of around 5 metres. A multipurpose tree, it is particularly valued for its edible fruit, but also has medicinal properties, is a good source of tannins and has many agroforestry applications. The plant is often cultivated as a fruit crop in warm temperate to subtropical zones, where it is also grown as an ornamental. It is also grown in the tropics, though mainly as an ornamental since it seldom fruits well there[ 302 Title Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide Publication Author Whistler. W. Arthur. Publisher Timber Press Inc. Oregon. Year 2000 ISBN 0-88192-448-2 Description An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses. , 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. , 307 Title Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. Publication Author Barwick. M. Publisher Thames & Hudson, London Year 2004 ISBN 0-500-51181-0 Description A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life. ].