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Why plant nutmegs from pigeons?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

December 3, 2003

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The Torresian Imperial pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa Gray) is native to the Oceanic Islands migrating between Papua New Guinea and the reef ks north of Australia. This relatively large pigeon (to 45 centimeters or 18 inches) forms huge nesting colonies on the mangroves of the reef islands. The birds feed on fruit and leaves foraging in rainforests and return to their island colonies at sunset.

Torresian Imperial pigeons, like most of the other 37 species of Ducula, are capable of swallowing large seeds. An alternative name for this elegant bird is the nutmeg pigeon because it feasts on nutmegs that have recently fallen out of the fruit and still have the aril or mace attached.

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The mace is digested and the nutmeg passes unharmed through the digestive tract. Nutmeg pigeons are the major means of the spread of nutmeg trees (Myristica fragrans) to surrounding islands.

The nutmeg pigeon has a number of legends. It is said that when the birds have gorged on the mace-covered nutmegs, the flesh takes on the mild mace flavor. In the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, this resulted in thousands of the birds slaughtered for their meat. (The Passenger Pigeon in Pennsylvania, John C. French, 1919) During the European colonial era, nutmeg pigeons were slaughtered to prevent the loss of mace which brought a higher price than nutmeg in the European market.

According to Chris McCall, the nutmeg pigeon is believed a discriminating connoisseur, selecting only the finest mace to consume. Consequently, nutmegs that have passed through pigeons are sought for planting to perpetuate the best of the spice. ("Indonesian Nutmeg Isles Save Fruit Trees of Kings", Chris McCall, Reuters Ltd. 1999)

The International Dove Society has a photograph of the nutmeg pigeon taken by Tetsu Sato and a closely related species, the pied imperial pigeon taken by Ian Montgomery. Some authorities consider the two species as variations and classify them both as Ducula bicolor. To view the photographs, click on the link:

Click here to view the photographs

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

How was nutmeg taken medicinally? Herbal Folklore - December 1, 2003
What is a nutmeg? Weird Plants - November 27, 2003
What was nutmeg worth? Plants that Changed History - November 25, 2003
What is a nutmegger? What's in a Name? - November 28, 2003
How did the Dutch control the Spice Islands? Plants that Changed History - January 13, 2004
Why did ladies use lavender water? Herbal Folklore - March 24, 2003
Why no seedlings in three centuries? Renfield's Garden - January 1, 2003
How are cloves used in dentistry? Plants that Changed History - March 11, 2003

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Brief history of area rugs Area rugs have served as home décor essentials since the beginning of civilization. Crudely woven reed rugs and animal hide rugs provided the first flooring, sitting, and sleeping surfaces. For many families, the area rug was the household's most valuable possession. As the art of rug making evolved over the millennia, area rugs transformed into artistic canvases. Today, the finest handmade area rugs are treasured as prized objects d'art. The oldest surviving area rug, the "Pazyryk" carpet, was discovered in 1949 by a Russian archeologist during the unearthing of a Siberian burial site. Long frozen in ice, the carpet's fiber, color, and designs were incredibly well preserved. Dating back to the 5th Century BC, the Pazyryk carpet is considered an exceptional work of Scythian art, featuring exquisite details, symmetrical patterns, rich colors, and a hand-knotted technique still popularly used today. Click here to read entire article...  [All NOVICA Area Rugs...]
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Rakesh Mohan, better known as Rocky Mohan, calls himself a "passionate foodie." His deep involvement in Indian cuisine stems from a combination of factors: his paternal roots in Rawalpindi (now Pakistan), where it is traditional for men to cook; his bachelor days in London where he yearned for home cooked meals; and a cookbook he received as a birthday present, which actually triggered his serious interest in cooking. Belonging to a family of pioneers and achievers, Mahon started documenting Indian recipes in 1985—1986. He continues this "labor of love" with dedicated zeal and an eye for meticulous details, sharing his abiding ardor for cooking with food enthusiasts all over the world. Dheeraj Paul is the youngest among a family of skilled photographers. His photographic canvas encompasses a wide variety of topics such as food, architecture, still life, fashion and travel. With nine published books, Paul's themes vary greatly and include ancient jewelry, bonsai trees, food, and travel.  Click here for price and more info...
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Customer Reviews of this Artist Thank you so much for making the clove box, I love it. It sits close to my computer and I pick up the smell of the cloves. It is so wonderful and relaxing. Especially a great thank you for the personal touch of the colorful artwork you added to the package. - Elly Adams  Click here for a link to more "Customer Reviews of this Artist".  [Click here of more Woven Clove Art...]
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