Clove tree Facts
Clove tree Facts
|
| Interesting Clove tree Facts: |
|---|
| Clove tree has forked stem composed of 2 to 3 trunks that can reach 12 to 40 feet in height. It has dense, conical crown. |
| Clove tree produces shiny, large, oval leaves that grow in pairs. They are dark green colored and very aromatic. |
| Clove tree blooms from July to October and from November to January. It produces small, red flowers arranged in terminal clusters. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs. Sweet fragrance attracts bees, responsible for the pollination of flowers. |
| Fruit of clove tree, also known as "mother of cloves", is brown, berry-like drupe filled with one seed. |
| Name "clove" originates from the Latin word "clavus" which means "nail". Name refers to the nail-like shape of the flower buds that are used as spice. |
| Flower buds are harvested before they transform into flowers. Reddish-brown, sun-dried flower buds can be used ground or whole. Cloves are mostly used for the preparation of dishes made of fish, chicken and rice, soups, salad dressings and desserts. Eugenol (major ingredient of essential oils of cloves) is responsible for the sweet aroma of this plant. |
| Cloves are used for the manufacture of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and Chinese five-spice powder. |
| Cloves have warm, spicy taste and sweet aroma and serve as good source of vitamins A, K, B1, B2, B6, C and minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron and selenium. |
| Indonesians mix cloves with tobacco for the preparation of popular kretek cigarettes. |
| People on the Moluccas traditionally planted clove trees in the past to celebrate expansion of the family with a new member. |
| Ancient Romans used cloves in culinary and medical purposes. Cloves were one of the most important and one of the most expensive spices during the Middle Ages in Europe. |
| Cloves can be used as effective "remedy" against ants in the homes, due to natural ant-repelling properties. |
| Around 42 million pounds of cloves are produced and consumed each year. Three quarters of commercially available cloves originates from Tanzania. |
| Cloves can be used to facilitate digestion, prevent constipation and to eliminate intestinal parasites. Essential oils of clove are used in treatment of sore muscles, arthritis and in aromatherapy. Antiseptic and anesthetic properties of eugenol (obtained from cloves) are widely used in dentistry. |
| Clove tree can survive up to 400 years in the wild. |
|
Related Links: Facts Plants Facts Animals Facts |