What is Bixa orellana?
{{Italictitle}} {{Taxobox | name = Achiote | image = Bixa.jpg | image_caption = An achiote blossom |regnum = [[Plantae]] |unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]] |unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]] |unranked_ordo = [[Rosids]] |ordo = [[Malvales]] | familia = [[Bixaceae]] | genus = ''[[Bixa]]'' | species = '''''B. orellana''''' | binomial = ''Bixa orellana'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} [[File:Bixa orellana MHNT.BOT.2009.13.33.jpg|thumb|''Bixa orellana'']] '''''Bixa orellana''''' (also known as '''achiote''') is a [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] from the tropical area of the [[American continent]]. The name comes from the [[Nahuatl]] word for the shrub, ''achiotl''. It is also known as '''Aploppas''', and its first [[Tupi]] name ''urucu''. It is grown there and in [[Southeast Asia]], where it was brought by the [[Spain|Spanish]] in the 17th century. It is best known as the source of the natural pigment [[annatto]], made from the [[fruit]]. The plant bears pink flowers and bright red spiny fruits which contain red seeds. The fruits dry and harden to brown capsules. {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Malvales]]