[2][3] The type species of the genus, and the most economically important member, is Myristica fragrans (the nutmeg tree), from which mace is also derived.

The name Myristica is from the Greek adjective myristikos, meaning ‘fragrant, for anointing’, referring to its early use.

[4] The adjective is from the noun μύρον myron (‘perfume, ointment, anointing oil’).

Knuth (1904) however cites a report of trees being male in their sex expression when young and female later.

There are 172 accepted Myristica species as of April 2021 according to Plants of the World Online.