Allspice Tree, Pimento
Pimenta dioica

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 13-15 m tall. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The bark is silver grey and has an aroma. It peels off in long strips. The wood is hard, durable and close grained. The leaves are dark green, shiny and leathery. They are grouped in clusters at the ends of the secondary branches. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are purple berries. They can be 6.5 cm across. These contain 1 or 2 large seeds. These are the allspice of commerce. Leaves and bark also have the allspice scent. When in flower the trees have a smell or allspice.

There are about 15 Pimenta species. They grow in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to tropical America. It suits humid, lowland woodland and savannah. It can tolerate heat and drought. Mature trees can withstand light frost. It is often on well-drained limestone soils up to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nauru, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Samoa, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Timor-Leste, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The dry seeds are used to flavour food. The unripe fruit are dried quickly to produce allspice. The fruit contain an oil used in flavouring. It is used to flavour meat dishes, pickles, sauces, and stuffings. It can be used in vegetable dishes. The leaves can be used as a condiment. They can also be used for tea.

It is cultivated as a commercial crop.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves, spice, herb, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are mostly grown from seed. Seed loose their viability quickly. It can also be grown by grafting.

The tree takes 20 year to beging fruiting. The small twigs carrying the berries are cut with clippers. These are dried and cured. They are dried to 10-12% moisture to protect against mould. The red berries are sun dried and become brown. The berry is 3-6 mm across.

Its other names

Local names

Baharat, Bahar halu, Clove pepper, Jamaican pepper, Myrtle pepper, Piment, Pimienta de Jamaica, Pohon lada jamaica, Poivre de la jamaique, U'cun, Uc-suc, Xocoxo'chitl

Synonyms

Caryophyllus pimento Mill.; Eugenia micrantha Bertol.; Eugenia pimenta (L.) DC.; Myrtus dioica L.; Pimenta officinalis Lindl.; and others