TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

Bixa orellana, Lipstick tree, Annatto, Achiote
Bixa orellana

Bixa orellana

Lipstick tree, Annatto, Achiote
Family: Bixaceae
Origin: Tropical South America
USDA Zone: 10-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunModerate waterWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersSpice or herb plant

Bixa orellana, the enchanting Lipstick Tree, brings a splash of South American magic to any garden with its bold, heart-shaped leaves and charming pink blooms. But the real showstopper? Its vibrant seed pods brimming with annatto - a natural pigment famed for painting dishes with rich golden hues and spicing up kitchens worldwide. Annatto isn't just a culinary delight; it's a beauty secret too, adding natural, radiant color to lipsticks and cosmetics. Beyond its practical uses, Bixa makes a striking hedge or screen, adding both beauty and function. This tree is your garden's ticket to tropical flair and everyday usefulness!

Bixa orellana is a bushy shrub or small tree native to South America. It features large leaves and charming pink flowers, but its most notable feature is its seeds. These seeds contain a natural pigment called annatto, ranging from yellow to deep orange-red, which is widely used in cosmetics, particularly lipstick, for its vibrant colors. In culinary arts, annatto serves as a popular spice in Latin American, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisines, adding a mild, slightly peppery flavor and a rich yellow-orange color to dishes like rice and stews. Beyond its culinary and cosmetic uses, annatto seeds are also valued for their medicinal properties, offering antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. The dried seed pods of the Bixa plant are also used in flower arrangements, adding a unique visual element. When used as a hedge or screen, Bixa should be pruned often to encourage bush growth at the bottom of the trunk.





Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/bixa_orellana.htm

Bixa orellana - Lipstick Tree, Annatto, Achiote

Bixa orellana, the enchanting Lipstick Tree, brings...  more

Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
This item is certified for shipping to California, Texas, Louisiana.
Grown in
6-10"/1-3 gal pot, large plant
In stock
$39.95

Bixa orellana - seeds

Lipstick tree, Annato. This erect shrub with large,...  more
Ordering seeds info

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Seed Germination Mix #3, professional grade
SUNSHINE-Epi - Seeds and cuttings booster
SUNSHINE Bombino - Young Plant Booster
Per pack: 6 seeds
10 Packs in stock
$8.95