Nutmeg is a very handsome and strongly aromatic, slow-growing evergreen tree with a dense, conical crown. It usually grows 3 - 15 metres tall, but can reach 20 metres.
The plant is widely cultivated in suitable areas of the tropics as an ornamental and commercially for the two spices it produces, nutmeg and mace. The main areas of production are Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Granada in the West Indies.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Humid volcanic lowlands with even rainfall.

Cultivation Status

Cultivated

Cultivation Details

The plant is most suited to growing in the coastal regions of lowland humid tropical areas, though it can also succeed at elevations up to 500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 34°C, but can tolerate 12 - 38°C. Plants are also very susceptible to frost damage.
When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 5°C. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 4,000mm. It prefers growing in areas without a pronounced dry season. Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade. The tree can grow on any kind of soil provided there is sufficient water, but it must be well-drained. Preferred soils are those of volcanic origin and soils with a high content of organic matter with a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5.
The tree only has a superficial root system and so needs to be grown in a position sheltered from strong winds. Seedling trees can commence fruiting when about 8 - 10 years old, whilst grafts can fruit when 4 - 5 years old. One tree can produce 1,000 - 5,000 fruits per year. Yields of nutmeg vary between 500 - 1,200 kilos per hectare. Peak production is attained after 15 - 20 years, and the trees have an economic life of 30 - 40 years, or even 60 - 70 years. Flowering is probably induced by short dry periods. Fruiting is more seasonal in regions with a pronounced dry season. Nutmeg is not strictly dioecious. Male trees show different degrees of femaleness, varying from no fruits at all to as many fruits as a good female tree. A ratio of about 10% male trees should be distributed regularly through the plantation in order to secure a good level of pollination.

Edible Uses

The seeds are the source of the spice nutmeg. The seed is usually powdered and then added to a wide range of dishes, most commonly sweet dishes such as custards, sauces, cakes and puddings, but in Europe it is also added to some savoury dishes.
The dried flesh surrounding the seed is the source of the spice mace. This is used to flavour mainly savoury dishes such as soups, sauces, curries, pickles and baked goods, but can also be used in fruit salads, cakes etc. When sprinkled on cooked cabbage, it masks the sulphide odour.
The flesh of the fruit is cut in slices and eaten as a delicacy with sambal. Young husks (pericarps) are made into confectionery (jellies, marmalades, sweets and preserves, very popular in West Java and Malaysia).
Essential oils (mostly nutmeg oil from the seed and mace oil from the aril, but also from the bark, leaf and flower) and extracts (e.g. oleoresins) are often used in the canning industry, in soft drinks and in cosmetics.

Medicinal

The seed of nutmeg is rich in essential oils. It is a bitter, astringent, spicy herb that acts as a warming, digestive tonic. It controls vomiting and relaxes spasms. When applied externally, it has an antiinflammatory effect. Nutmeg is also said to have stimulant, carminative and aphrodisiac properties. The seed is taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, abdominal distension, indigestion and colic. Externally, the seed is used to treat toothache, rheumatic and abdominal pains (including labour pains). Some caution is advised - taken in excess the seed can cause severe headache, nausea, dizziness and delirium.
The seed is used in Ayurveda to treat poor digestion, insomnia, urinary incontinence and premature ejaculation. Nutmeg can be used as a narcotic with hallucinogenic effects but it is dangerous; the consumption of two ground nutmegs (about 8 g) is said to cause death, due to its myristicin content. On Zanzibar nutmegs are chewed as an alternative to smoking marihuana.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

The red sap (kino), present in the bark of most species in this genus, can be used as a dye that gives a permanent brown stain. The essential oil has insecticidal, fungicidal and bactericidal activity. Nutmeg butter, a fixed oil obtained by pressing the seeds, is used in ointments, perfumery, soaps and candles.
We have no information for the wood of this species, but the following is the general information for the wood of trees in this genus: - The heartwood can be dark reddish brown to light yellow-brown or brown with occasional pink tinge and dark red-purple stripes; it is not clearly differentiated from the paler sapwood. A blood red core is found in some species. The grain is straight; the texture is rather fine to slightly coarse and even; somewhat lustrous; without characteristic odour or taste. Growth rings are distinct, demarcated by layers of terminal parenchyma. The wood is mostly soft or moderately hard and moderately heavy; it is not durable, but is easily treated with preservatives. The wood dries rather slowly but with little degrade, though thin stock tends to warp. It is easy to work with, but sometimes easily splitting; planning is easy, with a smooth to moderately smooth finish; drilling and turning are easy with a smooth finish; nailing properties are generally good with some tendency to splitting. A light hardwood, it is mainly used for light construction work, partitioning, flooring, wall-panelling, moulding and other types of interior finishing, and for making tool-handles, woodcrafts, match boxes and splints, packing cases, crates, and household utensils. It is also suitable for manufacturing plywood, rotary veneer and wrapping and writing papers.

Propagation

Seed - best sown when fresh. Germination usually takes place in 5 - 6 weeks. Seed in the shell takes some 4 - 6 weeks to germinate; without the shell it may germinate in half that time. The seed can take up to 30 months to germinate. Seedlings need to be transplanted carefully in order to avoid damage to the delicate taproot. Nutmeg is usually propagated by seed, resulting in equal numbers of male and female trees. The seedlings reveal their sex at first flowering, which usually occurs some 6 years after planting. Therefore 2 - 3 seedlings are usually planted on the same spot. Male trees are then cut out and excess female trees may be transplanted to positions where there are no female trees.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood. Air layering. After about 3 - 5 months, the rooted watershoot is cut off and planted in a nursery. After a period of growth it is hardened off and planted in the field. This method succeeds in 60-70% of cases Grafting of known female forms onto seedlings.