- Evergreen shrub or tree to 6m
- Striking fruit covered in stiff red hairs
- Use as a natural food colouring
Description
'Achiote' seeds
Bixa orellana
- Evergreen shrub or tree to 6m
- Striking fruit covered in stiff red hairs
- Use as a natural food colouring
An evergreen small tree or shrub growing to 6m (more commonly around 3m in cultivation) with pointed, heart-shaped glossy green leaves up to 15cm long and pink and white flowers. The striking clusters of fruit are covered in stiff bright red hairs. The fruit splits open when ripe to reveal numerous dark red seeds covered in an edible orange pulp.
The seeds can be stirred in water to create a flavourless food colouring similar to tumeric. The colouring, called annato, is used to colour rice, desserts, cheese and dairy products. The dried seed pods can be used in floral arrangements. Plants can be grown as an informal hedge or in large containers.
Native to tropical Central and South America and naturalised in northern Queensland. Also known as 'Annatto' and 'Lipstick Tree'.
Seeds per gram: 1
Product code: I2-07
Quick Sowing Guide
Method | Raise seedlings |
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Sowing Depth | 20mm |
Season | Spring |
Germination | 28-40 days @ 20-25°C |
Hardiness / Life Cycle | Half Hardy Perennial |
Plant Spacing | 200cm |
Plant Height | 600cm |
Position | Full sun, moist well drained soil |
Days Until Maturity | 1-2 years |
*Notes: Seeds may be slow to germinate; seeds will not germinate until ideal environmental conditions are met.
Shipping
We deliver Australia wide.
All orders are dispatched from our warehouse in Knoxfield, Victoria, Australia.
We do not deliver overseas.
Shipping cost is calculated using all the items in your shopping cart and your delivery postcode. The table below outlines the delivery options and costs.
Order dispatch time is currently 4-6 business days plus delivery time.
Please note we are unable to guarantee specific delivery dates or delivery timeframes, all delivery times are estimates only.
Order contains: | Delivery options: | Delivery cost per order | |
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VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, TAS, SA, NT | WA | ||
Small seed packets ONLY - | Economy Delivery | $3.00 or FREE on orders over $25 | $5 |
Parcel Delivery | Capped rate of $8.99 | ||
Express Delivery | $15.00 | ||
BULK seed, garden supplies, tools, or accessories - |
Parcel Delivery |
Capped rate of $8.99 |
|
Express Delivery |
Starting from $15.00 (Calculated by weight) |
||
Live Plants - | Live plants | Capped rate of $10.00 |
*All orders sent to Western Australia are subject to mandatory inspection and fees by Quarantine WA. These fees are included in all shipping costs above.
**We will replace all orders that are lost or damaged in transit however we will not replace or refund orders simply because they were delivered later than estimated. Full details here.
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