Syzygium aromaticum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Caryophyllus aromaticus L.
- Caryophyllus hortensis Noronha
- Caryophyllus hortensis Noronha Caryophyllus silvestris Teijsm. ex Hassk. Eugenia aromatica (L.) Baill. Eugenia caryophyllata Th
- Caryophyllus silvestris Teijsm. ex Hassk.
- Eugenia aromatica (L.) Baill.
- Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S.G.Harrison
- Jambosa caryophyllus (Thunb.) Nied.
- Myrtus caryophyllus Spreng.
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The clove tree is a bushy, tropical evergreen woody plant native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The preferred growing condition for this tree is a mixed maritime forest in the tropics. The tree is grown commercially for the flower buds, which are picked soon after they appear and then dried, yielding the clove. The fruit matures about 9 months after flowering, and each flower yields one seed. The seeds are viable for only a week or two and are cultivated in nursery beds protected from direct sunlight. Harvesting of the flowers is not done until a tree is at least 4 years old, and the trees can live up to 100 years. The clove tree is monoecious, producing both male and female flowers on the same plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Syzygium
- Species:
- aromaticum
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used for centuries as a spice, the distilled essential oil is used for flavoring foods, cigarettes, perfume, and a variety of pharmaceutical uses.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia
- Distribution:
- Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, Borneo, Seychelles, Brazil, Caribbean
- Edibility:
- The dried flower buds are used as a spice, and the oil distilled from the flowers and leaves is used as a flavoring for a variety of products.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 24 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dark purple, oblong, juicy and generally one-seeded
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Dried
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers emerge pale and glossy, turning first green and then a bright red as they mature to the fruiting stage. On commercially cultivated trees, flowers are picked at the bud stage before they progress to fruit (about 9 months after flowering). Time of flowering depends on the geographical location.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves have aromatic oil glands on the underside, and grow along numerous short branches
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Understory Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
- Salt
