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Bixa orellana (Yellow)
| Family Name: | Bixaceae |
| Common Name: | Yellow Anatto |
The yellow Bixa orellana has yellow egg-shaped fruit, resembling rambutans, which makes it a great addition to parks and gardens. This ornamental plant loves full sun and grows up to 6 m tall.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Open |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub that usually grows up to 6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Light to dark brown, smooth but sometimes fissured. |
| Roots | Taproot |
| Foliage | Leaf blades are deep green on the upper side, pale green on the underside; cordate to triangular with 5 palmately veined. The leaf has cordate base and acuminate tip with entire margin. |
| Fruit | Light yellow fruits are egg-shaped and bristly, resembling rambutans. Fruits eventually turn brown before splitting open. |
| Cultivation | Plant grows on almost all soil types, including poor soils but not shade. It can grow larger when provided with soil rich in organic matter. Transplant seedlings when they reach about 20 cm tall. It is best to provide a planting distance of 3m by 3m for best growth. Prune occasionally to maintain plant at desirable height. |
| Etymology | The common name Achiote is dervied from the Nahuatl word (a Mexican dialect) for the species which is "achiotl." |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Plant is commonly planted for its ornamental flowers and yellowish fruits along the wayside and parks. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate, Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Bristly |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 432 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1728 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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