The clove tree is native to New Guinea and grows up to 20 m high. The leaves are leathery, shiny, flowers whitish-pink. The flower buds represent the actual clove, here the lower part of the bud: a square shaft in which lies the ovary with the numerous ovules.
The dried flower buds are used phytotherapeutically. The quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia.
Medicinally used is the essential oil: clove oil . s. Caryophylli floris aetheroleum