Nutmeg

Common Name: Nutmeg

Scientific Name: Myristica fragrans

Origin: Moluccas Islands

Family: Myristicaceae

Bloom time: Summer

The two spices nutmeg and mace come from the same plant. Nutmeg is derived from the hard seed while mace is the dried aril that surrounds the seed. This native of the Moluccas Islands (or Spice Islands) is now grown in similar climates in Southeast Asia, India and South America. Myristica fragrans' bell-shaped yellow flowers are observed in mid-summer. The specific epithet fragrans means fragrant in Latin.