Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum [L.] Merr. et Perry) The clove, Syzygium aromaticum, of the myrlte family, is a small, straight-trunked, conical evergreen tree that grows 30 to 40 feet high. The bark is rough and gray. The narrowly elleptic leaves, which are pinkish when young, and dark green when mature, are numerous and stalked. The cloves have a aromatic and very intensive fragrance and a fiery and burning taste. The clove tree is very rich in essential oils: The yield of oil, obtained through steam distillation, may be around 16% from the clove buds. The name clove derives from Latin clavus "nail". The clove of commerce is the dried, unexpanded, nail shaped flower bud, which is picked just before the pinkish-green blossom opens out and turns a deep red.