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Magnoliopsida
Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J.W.Moore
EOL Text
Leaf: Dried leaves made into a tea used to treat flatulence, and drunk as an all-purpose beverage. Leaf yields an oil which is distilled and used as a mosquito repellent, for stomach pain, and for skin diseases.
Leaf and fruit contain an essential oil composed mainly of the phenol eugenol, as well as methyl eugenol, isoeugenol and chavicol; many monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are also present.
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[edit]
Pimenta racemosa is widely introduced, and can become an invasive weed.[4][5]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of all Plant Species".
- ^ a b "Taxon: Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J. W. Moore". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 1997-05-22. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ^ desert-tropicals.com: West Indian Bay Tree, Bay Rum Tree
- ^ a b Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): Myrtaceae: Pimenta racemosa (by J.W.Moore)
- ^ "USDA PLANTS Profile".
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Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pimenta_racemosa&oldid=636752514 |
Guyana: bay leaf, spice, spice-leaf. Surinam: bayberry, bayboom, bayrumboom.