Pimento

a small tree of the West Indies. The family to which the pimento belongs comprises some 500 tropical and subtropical species of trees and shrubs, including the East Indian clove. The pimento is cultivated in Jamaica. It is a beautiful and highly aromatic tree. It grows about 20 to 30 feet high and has dark green, shiny, oblong leaves about four inches in length. Panicles of white, fragrant flowers are succeeded by small dark purple berries. The dried fruit constitutes the well known pimento or allspice of commerce. The berries, which are of about the size of peas, are dried in the sun. Each contains two round seeds. Fruit, bark, and leaves yield the oil of pimento. This oil, like that of cloves, is a remedy for toothache.