Bixa orellana L.
| Kannada Name : | Rangumaale, Sindhuri gida, Aranattu |
| Common Name : | Achiote, Lipstick tree |
| Family Name : | Bixaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Bixa orellana |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | None |
| Fruiting Period : | None |
| Origin : | Central America |
Uses
The tree is best known as the source of annatto, a natural orange-red condiment obtained from the waxy arils that cover its seeds. Annatto and its extracts are also used as an industrial food coloring to add yellow or orange color to many products such as butter, cheese, margarine, ice creams, meats, and condiments.
Description
Evergreen, shrub or small tree, 6–10 m high. Young branches covered with red-brown scales. Leaves simple, alternate, cordate-ovate, glabrous, young leaves covered with scales on the lower surface, base, base cordate or truncate, apex acuminate, margin entire. Inflorescence a terminal panicle or corymb. Flower bright pink or mauve. Fruit globular, ovoid capsule purple-brown and spiny. Seeds numerous, red-brown.
