Use by the tainos to prepare food, pimento grows elsewhere including Mexico, Central America, Cuba and Hispaniola but Jamaican pimento is regarded as best, and up to recently, had a virtual monopoly on world markets.
The handsome tree of the myrtle family (closely related to the Bay tree) but is widespread on the limestone derived soil of central parishes, especially St. Ann, thriving at lower elevations.
The tree grows 7-15 meters in height and its characteristic light-coloured bark peels easily from the trunk.