e-Flora of Thailand
Volume 7 > Part 4 > Year 2002 > Page 832 > Myrtaceae > Syzygium
7. Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perrywfo-0000318267
in Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts 18: 196. 1939; Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 342. 1963; P.S.Ashton in Dassan. & Fosberg, Fl. Ceyl. 2: 434. 1981; P.H. Ho, Câyco Viêtnam 2: 45. 1992; Chantar. & J.Parn., Thai Forest Bull. (Bot.) 21: 38. 1994.— Caryophyllus aromaticus L., Sp. Pl.: 735. 1753; DC., Prodr. 3: 262. 1828; Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1: 462. 1855.— Eugenia aromatica (L.) Baill., Hist. Plant. 6: 311, 345. 1877; M.R. Hend., Gard. Bull. Singapore 12: 270. 1949; Kochummen in Ng, Tree Fl. Mal. 3: 246. 1978, non O.Berg. Fig. 10.
Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.
Synonyms & Citations :
Description : Tree to 20 m. Twigs terete, the bark whitish grey. Leaves with petiole 10–22 mm; lamina 8.7–10.7 by 32–37.5 cm, lanceolate, narrowly elliptic or narrowly obovate, base long narrowly cuneate, apex shortly or broadly acute or acuminate; midrib impressed on the upper surface, secondary veins 15–20 pairs, intramarginal vein 1. Inflorescence up to 5 cm, terminal corymbose, trichotomous, shorter than leaves; peduncle up to 10 mm or absent; bracts and bracteoles 2–3 mm, triangular. Flowers pale yellow; pedicel 3–7 mm. Hypanthial cup 11–12 mm, cylindric, angled, slightly narrowed at base. Sepals 4, 3.5–4.2 mm, narrowly ovate, acute, rim hyaline. Petals 4, 7–8.4 mm, free, oblong or orbicular, rim hyaline, >200 gland dots per petal. Outer stamens 7.1–7.4 mm; anther 0.5 mm, ovate or ovate oblong. Style ca 4.2 mm, stout, shorter than outer stamens. Ovary 2-locular, ca 28 ovules per locule. Fruits reddish, 2–2.5 cm, obovate-oblong, with 1 seed.
Thailand : SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi.
Distribution : Cultivated in the tropics, native to the Moluccas (type).
Ecology : Villages and plantations, 0–900 m alt.
Vernacular : Kan phlu (กานพลู)(Central).
CommonName : Clove.
Uses: The source of Clove oil, used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, as a local anethesetic and as a mouth deodorant.
Notes: Syzygium aromaticum is readily distinguished from all other members of its genus in Thailand by its long, narrowly cylindrical hypanthial cup and long, slender petioles.