The fruit of the pomegranate is a special form of berry, just like a citrus fruit. Like this one, it does not ripen after harvest. Botanically, however, Punica granatum and Citrus are not related to each other.
Are pomegranates a citrus fruit?
Pomegranates are not citrus fruits, which belong to the rue family, due to their botanical affiliation to the loosestrife family. Citrus fruits include oranges, tangerines or lemons.
Although there are some similarities between pomegranates and citrus fruits, pomegranates are not citrus plants. The latter include, for example: B.
- Mandarins,
- Oranges,
- Grapefruits,
- Lime,
- Lemons,
- Kumquats.
The citrus plants belong to the Rutaceae family, while the pomegranate trees belong to the loosestrife family.
Commonalities
As with citrus fruits, pomegranates are a special berry fruit that no longer ripens after harvest. What unites the pomegranate with the citrus fruits is its mild, sour taste with a slightly tart note, as we know it from grapefruit.
Both plants thrive in regions with a tropical or subtropical climate. Both the citrus and pomegranate fruits have a long ripening period. Therefore, a long, warm summer is required for the fruits to ripen. Both types of fruit trees are sensitive to frost and for this reason can usually only be kept as container plants in Germany.
Differences
In contrast to evergreen citrus trees, a pomegranate tree is a deciduous tree. Apart from numerous external differences (color of the flower and fruit, size of the tree or bush), citrus fruits, in contrast to the robust pomegranates, are susceptible to all kinds of fungal diseases and pests. While the pomegranate plants survive the dry times in growing countries such as Israel, Turkey or Morocco, the citrus plants require continuous irrigation for good yields.
Tips & Tricks
The pomegranates can be squeezed like citrus fruits. However, you need to be more careful with a ripe pomegranate, as the juice splashes leave deep red stains on clothing that are difficult to get out.
