Couroupita guianensis (Cannonball Tree)

Couroupita guianensis, Cannonball Tree

Botanical name: Couroupita guianensis

Common name: Cannonball Tree

Family: Lecythidaceae

Origin: Tropical South America

USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge tree taller than 20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunModerate waterYellow, orange flowersRed, crimson, vinous flowersPink flowersSubtropical or temperate zone plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time

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