ABSTRACT
Allspice trees are tropical evergreens, averaging 7.6 m (25 ft.) in height, sometimes growing higher than 12 m (40 ft.). The tree is native to the West Indies and Central America and also occurs wild in Cuba and southern Mexico, and possibly Haiti and Costa Rica. The species tends to have separate male and female trees, although intermediate types of plants are also found. The white §owers develop into pea-sized fruits, about 8 mm (1/3 in.) in diameter, nearly globose, produced in clusters of a dozen or more at or near the ends of branches. The berries are §eshy, sweet, and purplishblack when ripe and have the appearance of large peppercorns. The whole dried fruit is ground to produce the allspice powder of commerce. The fruit is harvested when full size but still immature, while it is brownish green, as it is then most strongly §avored. The dried berries become reddish
brown. Allspice trees begin to bear fruit at 7 or 8 years of age, reach maximum production at about 15 years, and may bear fruit for up to 100 years. The average tree in Jamaica produces about 1 kg (2½ lb.) of dried product, but some trees will yield up to 25 kg (about 55 lb.) in a year.
