Nutmeg
ExplorePlants
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
Nutmeg is a special spice that comes from the seeds of a tropical evergreen tree. It has a warm, sweet flavor and is used in cooking and baking to make dishes taste delicious.
Appearance
The Nutmeg is a medium-sized evergreen tree with dense, dark green, glossy leaves. It produces small, pale yellow bell-shaped flowers and distinctive yellow, apricot-like fruit that splits open to reveal a single seed covered by a lacy red aril.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMagnolialesFamilyMyristicaceaeGenusMyristica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single nutmeg tree can live and produce fruit for over 100 years!
Eating too much nutmeg can make you feel dizzy and even hallucinate!
Nutmeg was once used to help preserve meat before refrigerators existed.
The famous 'spice trade' was a huge global competition for nutmeg and other spices!
Special abilities
Ability
Spice Duo
Nutmeg's fruit yields two distinct spices, nutmeg and mace, allowing it to offer double the flavor from one source.
Ability
Seed Protector
Nutmeg protects its valuable seed with a hard shell and a colorful, fleshy fruit, ensuring its precious cargo is safe.
Ability
Climate Resilience
Nutmeg trees thrive in hot, humid tropical climates, allowing them to produce fruit year-round in ideal conditions.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 500-2000 cm
- Spread
- 300-800 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round (tropical)
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Black Pod Disease Fungus
Phytophthora palmivora
causes destructive rot in nutmeg fruits and stems.
depends on
Humans
Homo sapiens
cultivates and harvests nutmeg for culinary and medicinal uses.
parasitizes
Citrus Mealybug
Planococcus citri
feeds on plant sap, weakening nutmeg trees.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Spice
This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
Ancient
Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
Artifact
An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
Natural
Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.
Also known as
MyristicaNutmeg Seed
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Nutmeg is safe to use in cooking but should not be eaten in large amounts as it can cause side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Nutmeg?
500-2000 cm
How wide does Nutmeg spread?
300-800 cm
How big are the flowers on Nutmeg?
0.5-1 cm
When does Nutmeg bloom?
Year-round (tropical)
Is Nutmeg edible?
Yes
Is Nutmeg toxic?
Moderate
What is Nutmeg's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Nutmeg pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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