Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Pimenta dioica

Syn. Myrtus aromatica

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Jamaica pepper (English)
  • Vellai milaku (Tamil)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Myrtaceae
10m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Pimenta dioica bark

Bark

Smooth to slightly rough, greyish-brown, becoming lightly fissured with age; aromatic when bruised.

Pimenta dioica leaves

Leaves

Leaves are 7.5–15 cm long, oblong, leathery and aromatic. Leaves are sometimes used in cooking in somewhat the same manner as bay leaves.

Pimenta dioica flower

Flower

Creamy white flowers are borne in panicles, bloom from the upper leaf axils in summer. Female flowers give way to small green fruits which mature to reddish-brown.

Pimenta dioica fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Fruits, up to 6 mm long, are picked green, dried in the sun and stored, either powdered or whole, for culinary use.

Pimenta dioica

Did you know?

The spice is called allspice because its aroma resembles a blend of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

South Mexico to Central America, Caribbean.