Clove, small, reddish-brown flower bud of the tropical evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum. Strong in aroma and hot and pungent in taste, cloves are used to flavour many foods, particularly meats and bakery products. Commercial part of this tree spice is unopened flower bud. Clove is indigenous to the Moluccas or Spice Islands (now Maluka), of Indonesia.