Bay rum

Pimenta racemos

Flower name
Bay rum
Scientific name
Pimenta racemos
AliasMyrcia acris, Tree bay, Tree bayberry, Bay rum tree, ウェストインディアンベイ, West Indian bay, ベイリーブズ, bay leaves, ベイリーフ, bay leaf
Place of originIndonesia
Place of floweringSubtropical region
Flowering season

What is Bay rum

Bay Rum (scientific name: Pimenta racemosa) is a tropical evergreen small tree native to the West Indies, Venezuela, and Guyana, belonging to the family Myrtaceae and the genus Pimenta. It is also known by other names such as Myrcia acris, Tree bay, Tree bayberry, Bay rum tree, West Indian bay, Bay leaves, and Bay leaf. The tree grows to a height of 5-15 meters.

The leaves are leathery, elliptical, and about 15 cm long, arranged in opposite pairs. The plant produces white flowers in panicle inflorescences at the tips of branches, and its fruits turn black when ripe. The leaves contain essential oils with a pleasant fragrance, which are distilled with rum to produce cosmetics, hair tonics, soaps, perfumes, aromatherapy essential oils, and edible flavorings.

Common Name: Bay Rum
Scientific Name: Pimenta racemosa
Other Names: Myrcia acris, Tree bay, Tree bayberry, Bay rum tree, West Indian bay, Bay leaves, Bay leaf
Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Myrtales, Myrtaceae, Pimenta
Native To: West Indies, Venezuela, Guyana
Growth Type: Tropical evergreen small tree
Height: 5-15 meters
Leaf Shape: Elliptical, leathery, 15 cm long, arranged oppositely
Flower Type: Panicle inflorescences, white flowers
Fruit: Black when ripe
Notes: Leaves contain fragrant essential oils
Uses: Leaves distilled with rum to make cosmetics, hair tonics, soaps, perfumes, aromatherapy oils, edible flavorings; fruits are used as a spice.