Bixa orellana L.
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Authority
Britton, Nathaniel L. Flora Borinqueña.
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Family
Bixaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Annatto is a commercial yellow dye-stuff obtained from this small, broad-leaved tree, which grows nearly all over tropical America, and has long been naturalized in tropical parts of the Old World. It is frequent in woodlands and on hillsides at lower elevations in Porto Rico, sometimes planted, and grows also on Vieques Island. The large, white or pinkish flowers, borne in clusters at the ends of branches, are attractive, and the ovoid, softly prickly fruits characteristic. The yellowish-white wood of the tree is soft and weak. Bixa (derived from the South American name) is a monotypic Linnaean genus, one species only being known, somewhat variable in leaves, flowers and fruits. Bixa Orellana origin of the specific name is obscure) is a tree, exceptionally about 9 meters high, usually much lower, sometimes shrubby, with dark brown twigs. Its thin, ovate, untoothed, pointed, long-stalked leaves are from 8 to 25 centimeters long, often more or less scaly, the base sometimes heart-shaped. The pink, or white flowers, borne in terminal, often large clusters, are 4 or 5 centimeters broad; there are 5, oval, or nearly orbicular sepals, and 5 obovate or broadly oval, rounded petals; the numerous stamens have anthers opening by 2 terminal pores; the ovary is 1-celled aid contains several ovules; the styles are united into a slender column, topped by a notched stigma. The fruit is a capsule, ovoid to subglobose, usually densely clothed with soft, weak bristles, from 2.5 to nearly 3 centimeters broad, ultimately splitting into 2 valves, releasing the seeds, which are about 5 millimeters long, and sometimes hairy.
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Discussion
Achote Annatto Annatto Family Bixa Orellana Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 512. 1753.