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Bixa orellana

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Bixaceae Genus: Bixa

‘alaea [alaea], ‘alaea la‘au [alaea laau], achiote, annatto, kumauna, lipstick tree

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or small trees 1.5–8(–15) m tall.

Stems: Branchlets reddish brown.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple or compound (palmate). Alternate. Blades ovate to cordate or ovate–lanceolate, 5–27 cm long, 3–18 cm wide. Upper surfaces glabrous or sparsely lepidote; lower surfaces densely lepidote, the scales minute, reddish brown; ; red–dotted. Margins entire. Petioles 2–10(–14) cm long. Stipules narrowly ovate, ca. 1 cm long; protecting the terminal bud.

Flowers: Flowers in terminal panicles. Peduncles and pedicels densely reddish brown. Pedicels with 5–6 apical glands. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Calyx of 5 sepals; sepals alternate with the pedicel; orbicular, ca. 1 cm long, densely reddish brown lepidote. Corolla of 5 petals, distinct, imbricate or convolute; white or rarely pinkish, obovate, 2–3 cm long. Stamens numerous, ± in 2–5 groups, sometimes inserted on nectary disk; anthers dithecal, opening by short slits or pores; horseshoe–shaped, folded so that the terminal pore area is morphologically central; filaments inserted on nectary disk. Ovary superior usually bristly, 1-celled with 2 opposite, intruded, parietal placentas; placentation partly axile or parietal; ovules numerous, anatropous; style 1; stigma 2-lobed.

Fruit: Fruit a loculicidal capsules. capsules compressed at right angles to the placenta; red to brown; variable in size and shape but basically globose to ovoid; 1.5–4.5 cm long; covered with short flexible spines. Seeds with oily or starchy endosperm; numerous; red; irregularly shaped; ca. 5 mm long; angled; fleshy and densely studded with small; round; red; sessile glands.

Ploidy: 2n = 14; 16.

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 512 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:390 (K, O, Mo, M); Staples & Herbst 2005:191 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:164 (exclude from checklist, no current evidence of nat.)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Bixa orellana L. east maui, s of hana PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. wiebke, h. collector number: 2242 Oahu BISH 6/12/1927
2 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, kamehameha girls' school PRESERVED_SPECIMEN grant, m.l. collector number: 7125 Lanai BISH 7/31/1934
3 Bixa orellana L. east maui, hana district, between kipahulu and hana PRESERVED_SPECIMEN couch, m.j. collector number: s.n. Maui BISH 11/10/1931
4 Bixa orellana L. gulch west of ualapue Naturalized in pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 9166 Molokai BISH 6/30/1928
5 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, vineyard street nursery of h.s.p.a PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wilder, g.p. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 1/27/1931
6 Bixa orellana L. Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mann, H. Brigham, W.T. Collector Number: 710 Hawaii BISH
7 Bixa orellana L. honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kirsch, o. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 12/7/1964
8 Bixa orellana L. hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mann, h. brigham, w.t. collector number: 710 Hawaii BISH
9 Bixa orellana L. Oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 11073 Oahu BISH 2/25/1937
10 Bixa orellana L. puhi camp, west of kauai community college From yard of abandoned homesite. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. hume, l. collector number: 1641 Kauai BISH 4/4/1986
11 Bixa orellana L. kaluaaha valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 365 mo Molokai BISH 8/8/1912
12 Bixa orellana L. waianae PRESERVED_SPECIMEN topping, d.l. collector number: 3107 BISH 4/19/1925
13 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, nuuanu street, hillebrand garden Planted. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. potter, c. collector number: 11073 Oahu BISH 2/25/1937
14 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, vineyard street nursery of h.s.p.a PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, a. collector number: 14 Oahu BISH 7/31/1929
15 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, mrs. fosters' residence PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 12605 Oahu BISH 1/8/1916
16 Bixa orellana L. east arm of kaluaaha valley growing on side of gully PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 9165 Hawaii BISH 7/12/1928
17 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, nuuanu street, hillebrand garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. potter, c. collector number: 11074 Oahu BISH 2/25/1937
18 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kirsch, O. Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH 12/7/1964
19 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, university of hawaii manoa campus, hale kuahine In full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1227 Oahu BISH 7/18/1985
20 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, manoa valley, woodlawn drive PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hartt, c.e. collector number: s.n. Molokai BISH 10/7/1957
21 Bixa orellana L. Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. Collector Number: 343 Hawaii BISH 11/25/1926
22 Bixa orellana L. Lawai Valley. National Tropical Botanical Garden. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence s.n. Kauai PTBG 4/26/1999
23 Bixa orellana L. hawaiian islands, oahu Dry Region PRESERVED_SPECIMEN raymond insfuku HUDC 10/13/1930
24 Bixa orellana L. Kapaa, Kanaele St., toward the end on the E side of the road. Collected as part of KISC 2007 Early Detection Roadside Survey. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1350 Kauai PTBG 5/31/2007
25 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, kalihi, bishop estate nursery, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. judd s.n. Oahu US 11/12/1930
26 Bixa orellana L. KAUAI: Along Waimea Canyon Trail near junction of Kukui Trai l. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lynwood Hume 265 Kauai PTBG 7/26/1987
27 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Nuuanu, Henry Street. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush 39 Oahu PTBG 6/7/1974
28 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J. F. 12605 Oahu US 3/30/1905
29 Bixa orellana L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kirsch, O. s.n. Oahu US 12/7/1964
30 Bixa orellana L. U.H. Campus, Hale Kuahine. Full sun PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1227 Oahu US 7/18/1985
31 Bixa orellana L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. kirsch s.n. Oahu US 12/7/1964
32 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, in forest nursery of the hawaiian sugar planters association, 50 n. vineyard st PRESERVED_SPECIMEN harris, j.a. collector number: 242273 Hawaii US 10/2/1924
33 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Estate Nursery, Oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Judd, A. F. s.n. Oahu US 11/12/1930
34 Bixa orellana L. honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 12605 Oahu US 8/7/1916
35 Bixa orellana L. Along the Hanapepe River, Kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Heller, A. A. 2477 Kauai US 1895-00-00
36 Bixa orellana L. Gulch west of Ualapue, Molokai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 9166 Molokai US 6/30/2028
37 Bixa orellana L. gulch west of ualapue, molokai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 9166 Molokai US 6/30/1928
38 Bixa orellana L. along the hanapepe river, kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. a. heller 2477 Kauai US 1895-07-02
39 Bixa orellana L. Kaluaaha Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 365 Mo Molokai BISH 8/1/1912
40 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, kalihi, bishop estate nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN judd jr., a.f. collector number: s.n. Kauai BISH 11/12/1930
41 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Vineyard Street, Nursery of H.S.P.A PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wilder, G.P. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/27/1931
42 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Kamehameha Girls' School PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Grant, M.L. 7125 Oahu BISH 7/31/1934
43 Bixa orellana L. u.h. campus, hale kuahine. Full sun PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. lau 1227 Oahu US 7/18/1985
44 Bixa orellana L. Gulch west of Ualapue Naturalized in pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 9166 Molokai BISH 6/30/1928
45 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Dry region. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Inafuku, R. s.n. Oahu BISH 10/13/1930
46 Bixa orellana L. valley opposite Gay & Robinson's Hanapepe Valley House PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Heller, A.A. 2477 Kauai BISH 1895-00-00
47 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, niu valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 1720.o Oahu BISH 5/2/1911
48 Bixa orellana L. East Maui, S of Hana Naturalized along roadside. (See comments). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 2242 Maui BISH 6/12/1927
49 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Nuuanu Street, Hillebrand Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 11074 Oahu BISH 2/25/1937
50 Bixa orellana L. Puhi Camp, west of Kauai Community College From yard of abandoned homesite. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 1641 Kauai BISH 4/4/1986
51 Bixa orellana L. Above Wailua, Wailua Game Preserve. Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite in 1958-60. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Shawn Lum 134 Kauai PTBG 7/1/1983
52 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, in Forest Nursery of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, 50 N. Vineyard St PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Harris, J.A. C242273 Oahu BISH 10/2/1924
53 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kirsch, O. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/7/1964
54 Bixa orellana L. East arm of Kaluaaha Valley Naturalized with Lantana. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 9165 Molokai BISH 7/12/1928
55 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Manoa Valley, Woodlawn Drive PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hartt, C.E. s.n. Oahu BISH 10/7/1957
56 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Mrs. Fosters' Residence PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 12605 Oahu BISH 1/1/1916
57 Bixa orellana L. East Maui, Hana District, between Kipahulu and Hana PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Couch, M.J. s.n. Maui BISH 11/10/1931
58 Bixa orellana L. Halawa Valley In mixed forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Munro, G.C. 121 Molokai BISH 6/27/1927
59 Bixa orellana L. Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Mann, H. 710 Hawaii BISH 2/6/1905
60 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Nuuanu Street, Hillebrand Garden Planted. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 11073 Oahu BISH 2/25/1937
61 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Vineyard Street Nursery of H.S.P.A PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wilder, G.P. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/27/1931
62 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, A. 75 Oahu BISH 10/11/1929
63 Bixa orellana L. Waianae PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Topping, D.L. 3107 Oahu BISH 4/19/1925
64 Bixa orellana L. Hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. 343 Hawaii BISH 11/25/1926
65 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Niu Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 1720.O Oahu BISH 5/2/1911
66 Bixa orellana L. Kahana Valley Project. On the Kawa side of the valley, Near the old abandoned Morman church and cemetery Few cultivated trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herat, T. 173 Oahu BISH 8/17/1972
67 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Bishop Museum In partial shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1571 Oahu BISH 10/29/1985
68 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, Vineyard Street Nursery of H.S.P.A PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, A. 14 Oahu BISH 7/31/1929
69 Bixa orellana L. hilo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN macdaniels, l.h. collector number: 343 Hawaii BISH 11/25/1926
70 Bixa orellana L. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, Hale Kuahine In full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1227 Oahu BISH 7/18/1985
71 Bixa orellana L. halawa valley In mixed forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN munro, g.c. collector number: 121 Molokai BISH 6/27/1927
72 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, university of hawaii manoa campus Dry region. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN inafuku, r. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 10/13/1930
73 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, bishop museum above high water line in deep, sandy soil on slope at edge of Pandanus forest. With Scaevola sericea, Cyrtomium falcatum and Phymatosorus scolopendria PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1571 Maui BISH 10/29/1985
74 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, vineyard street, nursery of h.s.p.a PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wilder, g.p. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 1/27/1931
75 Bixa orellana L. honolulu, university of hawaii manoa campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, a. collector number: 75 Oahu BISH 10/11/1929
76 Bixa orellana L. kahana valley project. on the kawa side of the valley, near the old abandoned morman church and cemetery Few cultivated trees. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herat, t. wirawan, n. collector number: 173 Oahu BISH 8/17/1972
77 Bixa orellana L. unknown Wet places on rocks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mann, h. brigham, w.t. collector number: s.n. Maui BISH
78 Bixa orellana L. oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 11073 Oahu BISH 8/8/1937
79 Bixa orellana L. unknown PreservedSpecimen Mann, H. Brigham, W.T. Collector Number: s.n. BISH Specimen
80 Bixa orellana L. valley opposite gay & robinson's hanapepe valley house PRESERVED_SPECIMEN heller, a.a. collector number: 2477 Kauai BISH 1895-07-01
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