SafePlants

Lipstick Tree (Bixa orellana)

The Lipstick Tree, scientifically known as Bixa orellana, is also commonly called Annatto, Achiote, or Urucum.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces spiny red fruits.
• The fruits contain hard, deep red seeds.

Considerations for Children

• The plant produces spiny red fruits.
• The fruits contain hard, deep red seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bixa orellana L.
• Family: Bixaceae
• Common Names: Lipstick Tree, Annatto, Achiote, Urucum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Caribbean and Latin America.
• Originated in South America.
• Also found in Tropical America.

Morphological Characteristics

• Can be grown as a large shrub (5-10 ft) or a small tree (10-20 ft).
• Fruits are spiny and red, with heart-shaped pods.
• The plant stands alone in its family.
• Profusely fruiting shrub, reaching 6 - 20 feet tall and age up to about 50 years.
• Annato has large leaves 5-15 cm.

Ecological Role

• Flowers open before dawn and are visited by large bees.
• Smaller bees also visit them in the morning to harvest abundant resources.

Traditional Uses

• The seeds have traditionally been used by American Indians for making body paint.
• The seeds from the Lipstick tree were traditionally used all over Central and South America.

Quirky Facts

• The Lipstick Tree is sometimes called the "lipstick tree" because its seeds were used as a pigment for lips.
• The open fruit pods resemble red lips.

Other Information

• If you see E160b on a food label, that means you are eating a red dye derived from annatto.