[4][6] The calabash nutmeg tree grows naturally in evergreen forests from Liberia to Nigeria and Cameroon, Ghana, Angola and also Uganda and west Kenya.

In 1897, Monodora myristica was introduced to Bogor Botanical Gardens, Indonesia, where the trees flower on a regular basis but no fruit could yet be collected.

The leaves are alternately arranged and drooping with the leaf blade being elliptical, oblong or broadest towards the apex and tapering to the stalk.

The corolla is formed of six petals of which the three outer reach a length of 10 cm (3.9 in) and show curled margins and red, green and yellow spots.

Inside the fruit the numerous oblongoid, pale brown, 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long seeds are surrounded by a whitish fragrant pulp.

[4] The fruits are collected from wild trees and the seeds are dried and sold whole or ground to be used in stews, soups, cakes and desserts.