The dried unripe full-grown fruit of the allspice tree, Pimenta officinalis (Eugenia Pimenta). West Indies.

Fig. 191. - Pimenta.

Characters. - Of the size of a small pea, brown, rough-looking, somewhat like black pepper, but distinguished from it by being crowned with the teeth of the calyx. Odour and taste aromatic, hot, and peculiar.

Composition. - From 3 to 4 per cent. of a volatile oil having the same composition as oil of cloves, also a considerable quantity of tannin and some starch.

Preparations