The vigor of a pomegranate declines after about 15 years, however. The pomegranate has glossy, leathery leaves that are narrow and lance-shaped. The attractive scarlet, white or variegated flowers are over an inch across and have 5 to 8 crumpled petals and a red, fleshy, tubular calyx which persists on the fruit. The flowers may be solitary or grouped in twos and threes at the ends of the branches. Cross-pollination increases the fruit set.
Wind pollination is insignificant.
The tough, leathery skin or rind is typically yellow overlaid with light or deep pink or rich red. The interior is separated by membranous walls and white, spongy, bitter tissue into compartments packed with sacs filled with sweetly acid, juicy, red, pink or whitish pulp or aril. In each sac there is one angular, soft or hard seed. High temperatures are essential during the fruiting period to get the best flavor. Under suitable conditions the fruit should mature some 5 to 7 months after bloom.