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Achiote facts for kids

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Achiote
Bixa.jpg
An achiote blossom
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Malvales
Family:
Bixaceae
Genus:
Bixa
Species:
B. orellana
Binomial name
Bixa orellana
Bixa orellana MHNT.BOT.2009.13.33
Bixa orellana

Bixa orellana (also known as achiote) is a shrub or small tree from the tropical area of the American continent. The name comes from the Nahuatl word for the shrub, achiotl. It is also known as Aploppas, and its first Tupi name urucu. It is grown there and in Southeast Asia, where it was brought by the Spanish in the 17th century. It is best known as the source of the natural pigment annatto, made from the fruit. The plant bears pink flowers and bright red spiny fruits which contain red seeds. The fruits dry and harden to brown capsules.

Images for kids

  • Bixa

    Achiote flower

  • Bixa orellana fruit roucou kourou 2

    Mature achiote pods, showing the red seeds

  • Urucum virgim oil

    Oil of Bixa orellana

  • Bixa orellana with fruits in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 1456

    With fruits in Hyderabad, India

  • Bixa orellana fruit in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 1457

    Fruit in Hyderabad, India

  • Urucum (bixa orellana) seeds

    Split seed pod

  • General Emilio Aguinaldo, Bixa orellana jf9216 18

    Seed pod closeup

  • General Emilio Aguinaldo, Bixa orellana jf9216 13

    Fruit

  • Bixa orellana MHNT.BOT.2018.28.11

    Bixa orellana - MHNT

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Achiote para niños

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Achiote Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.