Pimenta racemosa

Pimenta racemosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Myrtales
Family:Myrtaceae
Genus:Pimenta
Species: P. racemosa
Binomial name
Pimenta racemosa
(Mill.) J.W.Moore
Synonyms[1]

Pimenta racemosa is a species of plant in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that is native to the Caribbean region. Common names include West Indian bay tree,[2] bay rum tree,[2] and ciliment. It is used in cooking and an essential oil is distilled to produce a fragrant cologne called bay rum; although bay rum is essentially rum, the concentrated essential oil is toxic and renders the product undrinkable.[3] The tree is 4–12 m tall and the white flowers, about 10 mm wide, become black, oval fruits measuring 7–12 mm.[4] The plants are now grown widely in other tropical areas, including Oceania. The ideal conditions for P. racemosa are regular irrigation and bright sunshine.

Ecology

Pimenta racemosa is widely introduced and can become an invasive weed.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of all Plant Species".
  2. 1 2 "Pimenta racemosa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2012-08-23.
  3. ↑ desert-tropicals.com: West Indian Bay Tree, Bay Rum Tree
  4. 1 2 Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): Myrtaceae: Pimenta racemosa (by J.W.Moore)
  5. ↑ "USDA PLANTS Profile".

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