Bombay nutmeg, Bombay mace, Malabar nutmeg
Myristica malabarica

Family: Myristicaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25 m tall. The bark is greenish-black and smooth. The branches are usually horizontal. Red sap oozes from cuts in the bark. The leaves are alternate. They are 10-22 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and pointed at the tip. They are shiny above and dull and waxy underneath. The male and female flowers are separate. There are several male flowers in a group on the axils of leaves. Female flowers are in groups of 5-6. The fruit capsule is 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. It is a rusty brown colour. There is one oblong seed. The aril of fleshy layer around the seed is yellow.

There are about 120 Myristica species. They grow in the tropics. It is used in medicine. It has anticancer properties. It has anti-leishmanial properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen and swamp forests. It grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cuba, India (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Myanmar, SE Asia, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is used to adulterate true nutmeg. It has little taste.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In south India plants flower and fruit in January to September.

Its other names

Local names

Adavijajikaya, Asana, Bandukapushpa, Doddajajikai, Gostani, Jatiphala, Kanage, Kanagi, Kattujattika, Pannampanu, Patthiri, Ponnampu, Pohon pala malabar, Rampatri, Taw-zadeik-po

Synonyms

Myristica dactyloides Wall.; Myristica notha Wall.; Myristica tomentosa J. Grah.; Palala malabarica Kuntze;