description
The clove tree is an evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family. It is a triangular shaped evergreen tree growing about 40 feet tall with smooth gray bark and 5-inch-long, glossy opposite leaves that resemble bay leaves.

The attractive red and white bell shaped flowers bloom year round in ¼ inch clusters at the ends of the branches and have four tiny petals surrounded by a long, four-parted calyx (the “stem” of the clove) and numerous stamens. The buds are pink, but the calyx changes from yellow to deep red-pink after the stamens fall. The fruit, called mother-of-cloves, is an edible purple berry about 1 inch long and ½ inch across.

The entire plant is extremely aromatic.

common names & nomenclature
The generic name, Syzygium, comes from a Greek word meaning “yoked together” and refers to the union, in some species, of the petal tips into a cap that covers the stamens. The word clove is believed to come from either the French clou or the Latin clavus both meaning "nail" in reference to the shape of the clove bud. The genus name, Eugenia, is named after Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736).

Also known as:
eugenia caryophyllata, eugenia aromatica, caryophyllus aromaticus, oleum caryophylli

Cloves are native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia. Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

climate
Clove trees require a warm, humid climate with 50 to 70 inches of rainfall annually and a minimum temperature of 59°F and a position in full sun or part shade. Most clove plantations are located within 10° of the equator and close to the ocean.

soil
Clove trees grow best in a well-drained, fertile loam soil.

growing
Trees may be propagated by sowing seeds in spring or rooting cuttings in summer. The trees flower for the first time when eight or nine years old. Under favorable conditions, trees may live 100 years or longer.

harvesting
The unopened flower buds are harvested by hand when they reach full size and are just turning pink. Later, the buds are snapped off the flower stalks and placed on leaf mats to dry in the sun. After three days, they will have turned dark brown and weigh only one-third of their weight when first picked.

preserving
Store dried cloves (whole or powdered) in an airtight container in a cool, dry place