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Jaatiphal / Jaatipatra (Species 1)

Common Names


Common Names To be Updated Soon

About    Taxonomy


Click to access the GRIN database record about the specific taxonomical hierarchy (Family, Genus etc.).

CLASSIFICATION


TAXON 


Myristica fragrans Houtt.

FAMILY 


Myristicaceae R. Br.

ALTERNATE FAMILY


nom. cons.

GENUS 


Myristica Gronov.

SPECIES


fragrans Houtt. Nat. hist. 2(3):333. 1774


Plant Description


Spreading aromatic evergreentree usually growing to around 5 to 13 metres high,occasionally 20 metres. The bark contains watery pink or red sap. The pointed dark green leaves (5 to 15 cm× 2 to 7 cm) are arranged alternately along thebranches and are borne on leaf stems about 1 cm long. Upper leaf surfaces are shiny. Flowers are usually single sexed; occasionally male and female flowers are found on the same tree. Female flowers arise in groups of 1 to 3; males in groups of 1 to 10. Flowers are pale yellow, waxy, fleshy and bell-shaped. Male flowers are 5 to 7 mm long; female flowers are up to 1 cm long. The fruits are fleshy, drooping, yellow,smooth, 6 to 9 cm long with a longitudinal ridge. When ripe, the succulent yellow fruit coat splits into 2 valves revealing a purplish-brown, shiny seed (nutmeg) surrounded by a red aril (mace). Seeds(nutmegs) are broadly ovoid (2 to 3 cm long), firm, fleshy, whitish and transversed by red-brown veins. When fresh, the aril (mace) is bright scarlet becoming more horny, brittle and a yellowish-brown colour when dried.

 

*Description source: Not verified.

STUDIES & RESEARCH