Lipstick Tree or Annato is Bixa orellana from S America
Top Tropicals has the shrub for sale. Annato is often grown as an ornamental for its pretty, fragrant, pink flowers even though they last only one day. The seed pods that follow the flowers are covered with red hairs. On a recent visit to Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory in Oklahoma City, Kenton Peters, the Education Coordinator, pointed out their Lipstick Tree and its unique features. Lipstick Tree, Annato, is native to Central and South America, Brazil in particular but is grown in many tropical areas, including Florida in the U.S.. The name Bixa orellana is derived from Francisco de Orellana, a 16th century Spanish explorer. Kenton Peters, shows the prickly outer shell of the Lipstick Tree seed pod. The seeds have and orange-red coating that is used as a food dye and in cosmetics. Peters reminded us that we have seen Annato on the list of ingredients of cheese and he's right, of course. The red color is also used in polishes, lipstick and other pr...