syn. Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & Harrison.
syn. E. aromatica (L.) Baill.
syn. Jambosa Caryophyllus (Spreng. Niedenzu)
Myrtaceae
Source: Magness et al. 1971
The clove tree is a small, tropical evergreen, up to 20 feet tall, with oblong
leaves, 5 to 10 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. It is native in the
Philippines and nearby islands, but has been introduced into all tropical
countries. Zanzibar and Pemba are the principal producers of cloves and clove
oil. The tree is not hardy in continental U.S. The cloves of commerce are the
dried flower buds, which grow in clusters at the ends of branches and are
harvested and dried before they open. Cloves are widely used in cookery and
confections. The extracted clove oil is widely used in cosmetics and
confections. By oxidation, it produces vanillin.