Changes

*''Caryophyllus racemosus'' Miller (1768), *''Myrtus acris'' Swartz (1788), *''Pimenta acris'' (Swartz) Kostel. (1835).

*Bay rum tree, West Indian bay tree, bay-berry (En). *Bois d'Inde (Fr).

The botanical classification in varieties does not match well with the variation in the chemical composition of different samples of ''P. racemosa'' . Two different oils distilled from var. ''racemosa'' have been reported: a "lemon" type and an "anise" type. Both types are reported from the Caribbean island Guadeloupe and may have been introduced into Java in the 1880s. The "lemon" type is rich in citral (geranial and neral); the "anise" type contains mainly methyl eugenol and estragol (methyl chavicol). Samples of var. ''hispaniolensis'' were characterized by thymol and @c-terpinene, 1,8-cineole and methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole and methyl chavicol or 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, while samples from var. ''ozua'' were high in 1,8-cineole andαand α-terpineol. The essential oil from var. ''grisea'' was characterized by trans-methyl isoeugenol, methyl eugenol or geraniol. Var. ''grisea'' is so common and has such a negative effect on the quality of the oil that it is called "false bay rum tree".  See also: Composition of essential-oil samples and the Table on standard physical properties.

*Erect, evergreen tree, up to 15(-25) m tall; trunk up to 20 cm in diameter, often slightly ridged and grooved; bark smooth, grey to light brown, peeling off in thin strips; inner bark pinkish; crown dense, columnar, dark green; young branchlets flattened, 4-angled. *Leaves opposite, simple, entire, highly aromatic; petiole 3-12 mm long, green with reddish tinge; blade elliptical to obovate or elliptical-oblong, 4-18 cm × 3-8 cm, base attenuate, obtuse or rounded, margins often recurved, apex rounded, emarginate, stiff, leathery, with very numerous, minute glandular dots, shining dark green above, paler beneath, midrib sunken, lateral veins prominent on both surfaces. *Inflorescence a terminal or subterminal corymbiform panicle, 3-12 cm long; flowers .*Flowers 10 mm or more in diameter, white; hypanthium obconical, about 1.5 mm long, subglabrous, sepals 5, up to 1.5 mm long, wider than long, spreading; petals 5, 3-4 mm long, spreading; stamens numerous, 4-5 mm long, white; pistil with 2-celled ovary, slender style 4-5 mm long. *Fruit a fleshy, subglobose to ellipsoid berry, 8-12 mm long, red-brown to black, with 1-3 seeds and sepals persistent at apex. *Seed 4-7 mm long, brown.

Other ''Pimenta'' species also yield essential oils, of which the most important one is pimento or allspice ( ''P. dioica'' (L.) Merrill). Its fruits are mainly used as a spice, but also yield an essential oil named pimento berry oil, whereas its leaves yield pimento leaf oil. Both oils are used industrially as substitutes for allspice. Eugenol is their main component.

Confusion is possible with the word "bay". Bay leaf oil refers to oil obtained from the leaves of ''P. racemosa'' . Bay leaf, however, is also a common name for the leaf spice ''Laurus nobilis'' L. ( ''Lauraceae'' ) from the Mediterranean which is also called sweet bay, laurel or bay laurel and from which an essential oil can be produced. Oil obtained from the Californian bay or California olive originates from ''Umbellularia californica'' (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. ( ''Lauraceae'' ).

Propagation of ''P. racemosa'' is mostly by seed. Seedlings may be collected from natural stands or are grown in nurseries. In the Caribbean mature fruits are usually collected in August-October. When collecting seed or seedlings from the wild care should be taken to avoid those of var. ''grisea'' . Seed is removed from the fruit, washed and planted within 2 days. Germination generally takes 2-6 weeks. Seedlings are ready for transplanting to the field in 18-24 months. Before planting the stem is topped to 15 cm and the taproot is pruned to 7 cm to encourage lateral rooting. Some fertilizer may be applied at planting. An application of 250 g of a 10-10-10 compound NPK fertilizer mixed with surrounding topsoil and compost and applied in the plant hole is recommended. After planting, protection from direct sunlight until the seedling is well established is beneficial. Vegetative propagation is rarely practised, but budding which is applied successfully to ''P. dioica'' is probably suitable for ''P. racemosa'' as well. Spacing is determined mainly by topography; on flat land 2-5 m × 5-10 m is common.

The most serious disease of ''P. racemosa'' is a leaf rust caused by ''Puccinia psidii'' , which covers young leaves, shoots and inflorescences with a bright yellow mass of spores. Severe infection results in defoliation and successive attacks severely weaken trees and may kill young ones. The disease is most common in areas where fog or heavy dew occurs frequently. A dieback or canker, known in the Caribbean as fireblight, caused by ''Ceratocystis fimbriata'' affects older trees. The disease is widespread, but outbreaks can be very local.

Leaf-eating caterpillars are the most damaging pests. Bag-worms ( ''Oeceticus abboti'' ) and related species are often recorded. Whiteflies, thrips and weevils also cause some damage. Black ants cause damage by transferring scale insects between trees and by making harvesting unpleasant.