Bixa orellana (Orleans Tree)

The Orleans tree (Bixa orellana) is called in Brazil „Urucum“, in the Spanish speaking countries „Achiote“, in the German language also " Orleansbaum" or "Rukustrauch". The approx. 17 feet tall small tree or large shrub is originated in the tropical South America, but today widespread in Southeastern Asia.

The seeds are used under the name Amatto as natural color in foods and for cosmetical uses (red body painting for the Indians in the Amazonas area, which is applied for protection against sunburn, against insects and for spritual uses, industrially as natural resource for production of lipsticks).

The leaves are used as medicinal substances amoung other things against bronchitis and eye inflammations.

Orleans Tree in our yard in August 2007.

Flower in December 2009.

Back to the Agricultural Plant List