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Annatto
Bixa orellana
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An evergreen shrub to small tree native to Central and South America. Natural dye (annatto pigment) is extracted from the reddish-orange aril surrounding the seeds. It produces large pink flowers resembling hibiscus. Rarely seen as a greenhouse plant in Japan.
Identification Points
- βFruits are covered with hedgehog-like spines, containing red seeds inside
- βFlowers are large, pale pink to white, with numerous stamens
- βLeaves are ovate to heart-shaped and glossy
Habitat
Native to Central and South America (cultivated in Okinawa and greenhouses in Japan)
Season
AugustβNovember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf shape
Cordate
Habitat
Cultivated
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Palmate
Petal count
Many
Petal fusion
Free
Stipules
Present
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Latex
Present
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionγγγγη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Malvales > Bixaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous (ca. 80 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Bixaceae belongs to Malvales. The carotenoid pigment (bixin) contained in the red seed aril (sarcotesta) evolved as a visual attractant to promote animal-mediated seed dispersal.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification