Cloves are the dried flower buds of this evergreen tree. Zanzibar and Pemba were among the world's largest producers from the 1800s, and spice farms still grow cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.
Spice trees
Clove Tree
Syzygium aromaticum
The tree that made Zanzibar the "Spice Island".
Size
Up to 12 m
Lifespan
100 years
Diet
Not applicable.
Habitat
Tropical lowlands.
About the clove tree
Did you know?
01
Buds are picked by hand before they open.
02
Clove oil is used in medicine and food.
03
Pemba is still known for its clove plantations.
When to see it
Seen all year round; the best sightings depend on where you are.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Where to see it in Tanzania
Trips that go there
Where to meet the clove tree
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Endemic
EN
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