Cloves are the flower buds of a Myrtaceae family evergreen tree, Syzygium aromaticum, with large leaves and crimson flowers that grow in grouped clusters. The entire clove tree is highly aromatic, hence its Latin name aromaticum, with the dried flower buds being used as a culinary spice for thousands of years. Clove is considered a warming herb with a pungent flavor, and is used extensively in Middle Eastern, North African, Chinese and Indian cuisine.