It is a valuable spice of the orient. It is a warming spice. Clove clusters are plucked by hand when the buds are fully developed with a pronounced pink flush and then dried over several days in the sun. The plant is indigenous to North Molucca Islands of Indonesia. It is also grown in Madagascar, Sri Lanka and India. The use of clove in whole or ground form is mainly for culinary purpose and as a flavoring agent in food industry.