Description: An evergreen dioecious tree with glossy leaves and fleshy fruits that split open when mature to reveal the seed surrounded by a red aril.

Identification: Aromatic evergreen foliage; yellowish flowers; fleshy fruit; red aril surrounding the seed.

Habitat & distribution: Native to the Banda Islands of Indonesia and cultivated in tropical regions, including India.

Uses / importance: Seed produces nutmeg and the aril produces mace, both important spices.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom – Plantae
Clade – Angiosperms
Clade – Magnoliids
Order – Magnoliales
Family – Myristicaceae
Genus – Myristica
Species – M. fragrans

Sources: Kew POWO; spice/agricultural literature.