Bay tree, Bay Rum Tree
Pimenta racemosa

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 13 m tall. The bark is brownish. The leaves are leathery and oblong. They are 8-10 cm long and 1-6 cm wide. There are 10-20 pairs of secondary veins. The flowers are small and white. They occur as 15-100 in a group. The tree has an aroma. The fruit are round and 5-15 mm wide. There are 1-4 seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to tropical America. It does well in seasonally moist and dry climates. It needs an average, well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antigua & Barbuda, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guiana, Guianas, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Pacific, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, USA, Venezuela (country/location of origin), Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

The oil is distilled from the leaves and used to flavour food. It is used for soups, meats and condiments. The bark and fruit are used as condiments.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves - oil, berries, fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and by budding.

Its other names

Local names

Asuau, Ausu, Ausubo, Auzua, Auzubo, Bay Oil, Bayrumboom, Berron, Bwa berom, Canelilla, Canelillo, Limoncillo, Malagueta, Malaqueta, Pohon bai rum, West Indian bay, White clove

Synonyms

Amomis acris (Sw.) O. Berg.; Amomus caryophyllata (Jacq.) Krug & Urb.; Caryophyllus racemosus Miller; Myrcia acris (Sw.) DC.; Myrtus acris Swartz.; Pimenta acris (Swartz) Kosteletzkyl; and others