Parts of an Annatto Plant

Branches and Leaves

• Annatto trees reach heights of 9 to 32 feet, bearing many dark brown twiggy branches, which in youth are covered in rust colored scales. From these branches emerge glossy, dark green leaves with rounded, heart shaped bases narrowing to pointed tips. These leaves have reddish veins and average 3 to 8 inches in length and 2 to 5.5 inches in width.

Flowers

• The bisexual, star-shaped flowers of the annatto tree are light pink or white in color and delicate in appearance. They grow to 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. These flowers consist of five petals and resemble cherry or apple blossoms.

Fruit and Seeds

• From the flowers, heart-shaped fruit covered in dense, soft bristles appear. These fruit are most commonly bright red, but can also be maroon, yellow or brownish green. When these strange fruits ripen, they burst open to expel a multitude of small, fleshy seeds covered in red-orange pulp. These seeds are either ground or extracted for oil.