Bixaceae

• Bixa orellana

• Query IPNI
• Common Name: Annatto, Lipstick Tree
• Family: Bixaceae Link

• Country of Origin: Tropical America
• Habitat:

• Description: A small tree with a round head, generally grown as an ornamental because of its lovely flowers of various colors. The seeds of the flower have a reddish powder which is used as a vegetable tint for soaps, rice, margarine, cheese and many other products. It is believed to come from Brazil but was carried throughout Central and South America by the Indians, who used the coloring as body paint, and by women, who used it as lipstick. The dye contains Vitamin C.

  [Vietnamese: seeds = hot dieu, hot dieu mau]