
The fruit this tree from Indonesia is nutmeg, now cultivated
commercially mainly in Indonesia and Grenada.
A slender, evergreen tree reaching 50 ft (15 m), it has distinctive
whorls of spreading branches, smooth gray bark, aromatic leaves and
small, frgrant pale yellow flowers.
Ripe nutmegs are fleshy, pear-shaped, brilliant scarlet berries.
Their jackets are harvested to make mace, a milder spice.
Cultivation: They must be protected from and dry conditions and
planted in rich, moist, well-drained soil if they are to flourish
outside their homelands.
They need a hot, humid position away from sun, strong winds and
pollution.
Propagate from seed or cuttings or by grafting . |