CentralNutmeg2015

Nutmegs of Singapore Botanic Gardens

These Heritage Trees can be found in Singapore Botanic Gardens, behind The Garage.

Dense green trees labeled "Myristica fragrans Heritage Tree (HT 2015-271)" and "(HT 2015-272)" against a cloudy sky.

📷: Hazri Boey

Heritage Tree Information

Scientific name: Myristica fragrans Family name: Myristicaceae		Location Singapore Botanic Gardens, behind The Garage
Reference ID	Tree Girth	Tree Height
HT 2015-271 (View Map) (opens in new tab)	1.07 m @ 1.3 m height	13.2 m
HT 2015-272 (View Map) (opens in new tab)	1.15 m @ 0.7 m height	13.2 m

The Nutmeg is a medium tree that reach up to 10 metres, producing a pyramid-shaped crown. The dark green leaves are fragrant when crushed. The tree produces yellow, bell-shaped flowers, and ovoid fruits with a fleshy husk that splits to reveal the seed kernel (nutmeg) and the aromatic red lace-like aril (mace).

A native of the Moluccas, the Nutmeg was a major spice crop in Singapore in the 1840s before disease wiped out the local plantations in the 1860s. The area around present-day Orchard Road used to be occupied by nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards, which gave rise to the road’s name.

As Myristica fragrans are dioecious (male and female flowers are borne on different trees), these Heritage Trees are identified as female trees for they have been observed fruiting. These trees are one of the few remaining crop trees in the former Economic Garden, which started in 1879 for the research and experimentation of economic plants.

For more information on this species, please refer to NParks' Flora & Fauna Web profile. (opens in new tab).