| Punica protopunica | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Lythraceae |
| Genus: | Punica |
| Species: | P. protopunica |
| Binomial name | |
| Punica protopunica Balf.f. |
|
Punica protopunica, commonly known as the Pomegranate Tree or Socotran Pomegranate, is a species of flowering plant in the Lythraceae family. It is endemic to the island of Socotra (Yemen). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.[1]
Punica protopunica is considered to be the precursor to the pomegranate (Punica granatum) and is the only other species in the Punica genus. It differs from the pomegranate in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit. The fruit when ripe are yellow-green in color.