Pomegranate (Punica granatum) belongs to the Lythraceae family. This species is native to western and central Asia, particularly from northern Iran to Turkmenistan and northwestern India. Its natural habitat is arid or semi-arid lowland areas.
The cultivar ‘Asmar’ was spotted in a nursery in the Vaucluse region and then spread across Europe; its exact date of origin is unknown, but it is a recent selection of black-fruited varieties. The mature form of ‘Asmar’ is a multi‑trunked shrub, with a bushy, rounded habit, reaching approximately 3.50 m in height and 2 m in width over 10-12 years. The stems are sometimes thorny, their smooth grey‑brown bark becoming dark and fissured with age. The foliage is deciduous, consisting of opposite, simple, oval to lanceolate leaves, 3 to 7 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide. They are glossy green in spring and summer, then turn golden in autumn before falling. Flowering occurs from May to July with single flowers, solitary or in small groups, 4 to 6 cm in diameter, with crumpled red to dark red petals, borne by a leathery cup-shaped calyx.
The pomegranates of ‘Asmar’ are spherical fruits 6 to 8 cm in diameter. At maturity, their skin is almost black, and they contain bright red seeds or arils. The skin is thick, leathery and glossy; the interior is compartmented and contains numerous red arils with white semi-hard seeds. This intermediate texture is more pleasant than that of hard-seeded varieties such as 'Provence'. The pulp is tangy and slightly sweet, refreshing, with a balanced aromatic profile. Yields are good in warm climates, and the dark skin colour indicates a high anthocyanin content in the fruit.
Harvest period and method
Fruit can be harvested from October to November, depending on climatic conditions. Pomegranates are ripe when the skin becomes shiny, begins to crack or takes on a uniform colour, and the lobes of the terminal calyx (persistent at the top of the fruit) curl inward. Pick with secateurs, leaving a piece of the stalk.
Fruit storage
In a cool, dry place, the fruits keep for several weeks, or even a few months. The thick skin of ‘Asmar’ promotes good keeping, but avoid temperatures that are too low (close to freezing) or overly humid conditions, which encourage mould.
Culinary uses
‘Asmar’ pomegranates are prized for their very red, slightly tangy juice. The seeds can be eaten in salads, in jams, syrups or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes. Their flesh is crunchy, refreshing and rich in antioxidants.
Use in the garden: planting and maintenance
Plant pomegranate ‘Asmar’ in full sun in deep, well-drained soil, preferably chalky or clay-sandy. Once well rooted, it tolerates summer drought well. Regular watering in hot weather improves fruit quality. Prune lightly at the end of winter to remove dead wood, balance the branches and stimulate fruiting. Not very susceptible to diseases, this fruit tree remains healthy if the climate is dry and hot.
