Family: Bixaceae

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) >  Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots >  Rosids >  Eurosid II > Order: Malvales

There are no indigenous representatives of this family in southern Africa but there is one cultivated species in this region, namely Bixa orellana (Annatto tree or Lipstick tree). This species produces seeds that contain an orange-red dye called annatto, which is used for colouring foods such as cheese, butter, smoked fish and oils.

Publications

• van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World - Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.