The Scientific name is: Syzygium aromaticum

 

Clove is the dried, unopened flower bud of a small evergreen tree. The length of each clove varies from 1/3 to `½ inches. Clove  is mainly used  as an ingredient in  a variety of food specialties, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, perfumery and toiletries

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The clove tree grows to about 8 to 12 meters. This tree grows in shady areas. Cloves are generally grown as a mixed crop with coffee, coconut, cocoa, areca nut and many other plants. Clove trees grows well from sea level up to an altitude of 800 to 900 meters.

The tree starts to produce flowers by the  5th year after planting. A tree can produce around 34 kgs of dried buds every year. The buds are handpicked in summer and winter and are then sun dried. Cloves contain 14 to 20 percent essential oil. The main component of the essential oil is Eugenol.  Eugenol is used in perfumes, mouthwashes, germicides etc.

Culinary use: Garam masala, a regional spice blend similar to curry powder and includes clove. North Indians use clove in foods,  including rice dishes (biryani), meat dishes and pickles.