For pomegranate lovers, pomegranate season is too short. The California orchards that supply U.S. markets begin harvesting in October and wrap up by January.
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The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5–8 m tall. The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and was cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region including Armenia since ancient times. It is widely cultivated throughout Iran, India and the drier parts of southeast Asia, Malaya, the East Indies and tropical Africa. The tree was introduced into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. In the United States, it is grown for its fruits mainly in the drier parts of California and Arizona.
The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad. The flowers are bright red, 3 cm in diameter, with five petals (often more on cultivated plants). The fruit is between an orange and a grapefruit in size, 7–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin and many seeds, demonstrating parietal placentation. The edible parts are the seeds and the red seed pulp surrounding them. There are some cultivars which have been introduced that have a range of pulp colours like purple. The cultivation of the pomegranate has a long history in Armenia. Decayed pomegranates, discovered at the historic spot "Karmir blur" (red hill), have a history of 3000 years.2
The only other species in the genus Punica, Socotra Pomegranate (Punica protopunica), is endemic to the island of Socotra. It differs in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit.
Pomegranates are drought tolerant, and can be grown in dry areas with either a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate or in summer rainfall climates. In wetter areas, they are prone to root decay from fungal diseases. They are tolerant of moderate frost, down to about -10°C.
2007-02-02 17:43:01
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answer #2
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answered by landhermit 4
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It's spelled Pomegranate. I guess this question is in soccer because you've done one too many head-butts, eh?
They are in season in summer. They used to grow wild around Southern California, and were delicious. Just watch out for the stains.
2007-02-02 17:44:12
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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In Arizona they are usually in season during late summer. Why is this in the Soccer category?
2007-02-02 17:37:47
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answer #4
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answered by Laughing Libra 6
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scientists should investigate whether pomegranates cause mental retardation....
only explanation i can think of for this question being here.
2007-02-02 18:06:19
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answer #5
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answered by r€dЀυiŁ 4
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