A conceptual internal plant match?

[Bernd]

Note that while cloves were known in Europe since antiquity, Syzygium aromaticum trees and the true origin of cloves remained unknown to Europeans (and also West and South Asians) for a very long time. Likely until the Portuguese discovered the Moluccas around 1500. Francisco Serrao was the first European to reach Ternate in 1512. I would not know of any depiction of clove trees in Europe before the 15th century.

It's not 100% certain but likely the Chinese reached the Spice Islands during the Treasure Voyages of the Ming dynasty in the early 15th century. However know of no evidence they knew or cared about Syzygium plants themselves - in contrast to the Portuguese who sought to cultivate them to break the trade monopoly of the local rulers. So unless you argue the VM is a century younger than the established date, I see no way how the author could have known about Syzygium plants.