TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA


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Couroupita guianensis, Cannonball Tree

Couroupita guianensis

Cannonball Tree
Family: Lecythidaceae
Origin: Tropical South America
USDA Zone: 10-12?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapBig tree taller than 20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunModerate waterYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersPink flowers

It is popular in botanic gardens and a few larger private gardens because of its bizarre fruit. It is a very tall tree which sheds its large, elliptical leaves several times a year. The pinkish-red flowers grow directly from the trunk near the base of the crown and are strongly scented in the evening. Blooms year round. Flowers are followed by large, globular fruit, reddish-brown in color, which do indeed resemble cannonballs and remain on the tree for many months. On older trees there may be dozens of fruits and flower clusters at the same time.

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