Bixa family
Description
A monotypic family of tropical American shrubs (Bixaceae 2).
Leaves are simple, entire, with a long hairy petiole. Both leaves and stems contain a reddish sap. The small regular flowers are borne in large cymes. Each flowers with 5 sepals and petals, many stamens, and a superior ovary. The fruit is a capsule covered with soft spines, with numerous seeds which have a thin pulpy vermillion skin.
Use
The dye annatto is obtained from the pulp and is widely used as a food colorant.
Described species
Bixa orellana, annatto