The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 3 (of 6)

But the vicinity of Carthage is claimed more particularly as its own by the fruit the name of which is the “Punic apple;”951 though by some it is called “granatum.”952 This fruit has been distinguished into a variety of kinds; the name of “apyrenum”953 being given to the one which has no954 woody seeds inside, but is naturally whiter than the others, the pips being of a more agreeable flavour, and the membranes by which they are separated not so bitter. Their conformation in other respects, which is very similar to the partitions of the cells in the honeycomb, is much the same in all. Of those that have a kernel there are five kinds, the sweet, the acrid, the mixed, the acid, and the vinous: those of Samos and Egypt are distinguished into those with red, and those with white foliage.955 The skin, while the fruit is yet sour, is held in high esteem for tanning leather. The flower of this tree is known by the name of “balaustium,” and is very useful for medicinal purposes;956 also for dyeing cloths a colour which from it has derived its name.957