Nutmeg and mace
Myristica fragrans

Family: Myristicaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows up to 10-23 m tall. The bark is light brown. Leaves are simple, pointed and dark green on top. They are pale green underneath. They are 12 cm long. Male and female flowers are separate but often on the same tree. Fruit occur on female and bisexual trees. The flowers are small and yellow and 1 cm across. they do not have petals. The sepals are cup shaped and 2-3 lobed. The fruit are round, about 5-6 cm across and yellow when ripe. When the fruit is ripe it splits into two halves. All parts of the tree when bruised have a smell of nutmeg. The seed is used as nutmeg while the red seed coat is dried and ground to produce mace.

There are about 72 Myristica species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Maluku in Indonesia. It suits hot humid tropical places and needs a fertile well drained soil. It grows in lowland areas and needs protection from wind. It cannot tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. At MARDI. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bougainville, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, FSM, Grenada, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Jamaica, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seed is used for the spice called nutmeg. This is used to flavour custards, sauces, cakes and pies. The red layer (aril) around the seed produces the spice called mace. It is used in soups, sauces, curries, fruit salads, cakes, pickles and baked goods. The outer shell of the fruit is sliced, cooked and crystallised to make a candy. It is also used for pickles. CAUTION The oil in the seed contains a poisonous drug called myristicin.

It is a commonly cultivated and used spice. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, aril, herb, spice

How it is grown

Trees are normally grown from seed. Seeds are slow growing. They can take 30 months to germinate. Plants can also be grown by cuttings and grafting. A spacing of 9 m apart is suitable. A ratio of a male tree to 10 female trees is used. Extra male trees are removed.

Seeds take 3 months to germinate. Trees begin producing after 5-7 years. Trees can keep producing for 40 years. The mace is peeled away from the nutmeg and dried. When the nutmeg is dry it rattles.

Its other names

Local names

Atone papalagi, Atong-ula, Buah pala, Chan thet, Jadikai, Jadipattiri, Jaiphal, Jajikai, Japatri, Jathi, Jatiphala, Jayapatri, Jotri, Misgadu, Muscade, Muscadier, Muskat, Muskatnuss, Nikuzuku, Noce moscata, Nootmuskaat, Nuez moscada, Pala, Rou dou kou, Sadikka, Sar-deik-bo-thi, Tau kau, Zadeik-po, Zalipho thi

Synonyms

Myristica officinalis L. f.; Myristica moschata Thunb.; Myristica aromatica Lamk.; Myristica amboinensis;