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Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Common Name: | Allspice, Jamaica Pepper, Pimento, 多香果 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | The exact origin is not known but it is indigenous to the west indies and central America. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It can grow up to 15 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are slightly leathery, in opposite arrangement and dotted with glands which gives off aromatic smell when crushed. Leaves are elliptical (6 – 15 cm x 3 – 6 cm) which is green on the upper surface and pale green on the underside. Leaf has entire margin, tapering base and rounded apex. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence is 5 – 15 cm long and paniculate. Flower (8 – 10 mm diameter) is aromatic and comprises of 4 white reflexed petals. Though flower are bisexual, there is functionally male and female trees which have 80 – 100 and 40 – 50 stamens respectively. Ovary is inferior. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a subglobose berry (4 – 6 mm in diameter) which is green when unripe turning glossy purple to black on ripening. Fruit contains sweet pulpy flesh and usually 2-seeded with spirally coiled embryo. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Grounded dried fruit is used as a curing agent in processed meats and bakery products; and flavouring ingredient for domestic culinary purposes. It is said to taste like a mixture of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, hence the name allspice. Ripe fruits, together with rum and other liquors, are used to make Pimento dram, a Jamaican drink. Essential oil is extracted from the fruits and used to make soaps and perfume. Fruit decoction is reported to cure colds, menorrhagia and stomach-ache. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31686 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6085 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |