Fruit of Bosnia Herzegovina.

 

B & H Croatian Post Mostar  of Bosnia Herzegovina issued the stamp series features the fruit species on November 1, 2011. The issue stamps comprise of two single stamps featured the species Common fig ( Ficus carica), and Pomegranate ( Punica granatum).

 

Ficus carica (Common fig)

Ficus carica is a monoecious, deciduous tree or a large shrub. It is native to the Middle East. It was later cultivated from Afghanistan to Portugal, and from the 15th century onwards, was grown in areas including Northern Europe.

Ficus carica (Common fig) grows to a height of 6.9–10 metres  tall, with smooth grey bark. It is well known for its large, fragrant leaves.

The Common fig tree has been cultivated since ancient times and grows wild in dry and sunny areas, with deep and fresh soil; also in rocky areas, from sea level to 1,700 meters. It prefers light and medium soils, requires well-drained soil, and can grow in nutritionally-poor soil.  Ficus carica requires wasp pollination of a particular species of wasp to produce seeds.

The Common fig are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. The Common figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are good source of flavonoids and polyphenol.

Punica granatum (Pomegranate)

Pomegranate  or Punica granatum, is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing between five and eight meters tall.The pomegranate is native to the region of Persia (modern day Iran) and the western Himalayan range,and has been cultivated in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Russia, and the Mediterranean region for several millennia.

Punica granatum is grown as a fruit crop plant, and as ornamental trees and shrubs in parks and gardens.  Pomegranates are drought-tolerant, and can be grown in dry areas with either a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate or in summer rainfall climates.

Pomegranate grows easily from seed, but is commonly propagated from 25–50 cm hardwood cuttings to avoid the genetic variation of seedlings.

Pomegranate aril juice provides about 16% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement per 100 ml serving, and is a good source of vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid), potassium and natural phenols, such as ellagitannins and flavonoids.

Pomegranates are listed as high-fiber in some charts of nutritional value. That fiber, however, is entirely contained in the edible seeds which also supply unsaturated oils. People who choose to discard the seeds forfeit nutritional benefits conveyed by the seed fiber, oils and micronutrients.