Punica protopunica Balf., the Forgotten Sister of the Common Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.): Features and Medicinal Properties—A Review

Punica protopunica Balf., the Socotran pomegranate, emerges as a critical yet overlooked species in the Punica genus, with significant implications for taxonomy and medicinal research. Endemic to the Socotra Archipelago, this plant is considered the ancestor of the widely distributed common pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). The review highlights its unique morphological features, distribution patterns, and cultivation challenges while emphasizing its potential in traditional medicine and antioxidant properties. Unlike its globally recognized counterpart, P. protopunica has been largely ignored, despite its genetic and medicinal significance. This study bridges that gap by synthesizing existing knowledge on its taxonomy, ecological vulnerability, and bioactive compounds, offering a foundation for further exploration of its therapeutic applications.

Guerrero-Solano, J. A., Jaramillo-Morales, O. A., Jiménez-Cabrera, T., Urrutia-Hernández, T. A., Chehue-Romero, A., Olvera-Hernández, E. G., & Bautista, M. (2020). Punica protopunica Balf., the Forgotten Sister of the Common Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.): Features and Medicinal Properties—A Review. Plants, 9(9), 1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091214