Punicaceae

Punicaceae is a small group of flowering plants that is traditionally recognized as a distinct plant family containing a single genus, Punica. In contemporary classifications, Punicaceae is usually treated as part of the family Lythraceae, commonly as the subfamily Punicoideae or as Punica within Lythraceae, reflecting a shift toward broader circumscription of Lythraceae.

The genus Punica comprises two species. Punica granatum, the cultivated pomegranate, is widely grown for its edible arils and ornamental fruit and plant features. Punica protopunica, native to the Socotra archipelago, is less common and often considered a separate species. The two species are closely related, with P. granatum dominating in cultivation and landscapes outside its native range.

Punicaceae species are typically deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves are opposite and simple, usually thick and leathery. Flowers are often bright red to orange and showy, with several petals and abundant stamens, producing fruit that is a tough-skinned berry. The pomegranate fruit contains numerous seeds (arils) embedded in a sweet-tart pulp.

Native range and cultivation extend from the eastern Mediterranean region through western Asia, with P. protopunica restricted to Socotra. Pomegranate has been cultivated for millennia in warm climates around the world and is valued for culinary uses, juice, and ornamental appeal. The family is adapted to hot, dry environments and is propagated by seeds or cuttings, with grafting enhancing cultivated varieties.