Annotto / Latkan

Bixa Orellana

Beng/Hindi: Latkan

A small, evergreen tree or shrub with smooth, grey bark, dense foliage consisting of shining heart-shaped leaves set on long stalks. Flowers peach blossom colored, with 5 petals, The fruits consist of clusters of brownish red or greenish capsules covered with soft spines.

Bark: smooth, grey

Leaf:  4-8’’ long, shining, heart-shaped leaves, with wavy margin and pointed tip set on long stalks.

Flowers: 2’’ diameter, peach blossom colored, 5 petals

Fruit: Clusters of brownish red or greenish capsules covered with soft spines. The small seeds are surrounded by a red pulp.

Season: The flowers usually appear in October and November, but sometimes during the hot season also. The fruits mostly ripen in the hot season.

Range/habitat: The plant is a native of tropical America, however, it is cultivated in many parts of India. Described in Flora Indica (1832). So must have been introduced long time back in India.

Trivia and notes: Seeds are source of "annatto paste", or they are dried with their covering of pulp to make "annatto seed". Both products are employed in the coloring of cloth, cheese, butter, and sweetmeats.

Where to Find: There is a tree within Lion’s safari park GPS: 22.51269, 88.35983