Bixa orellana, commonly known as Anetto, Achiote or Annatto is a small tree. It is native to South America. In Marathi it is called as Shendri. This tree produces pods containing many seeds. The seeds are covered with deep red coloured powder. This powder can be used for colouring food. In this era of synthetic edible colours, it is not much used. However, in olden days it was being used to colour butter and other foods.
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| Bixa orellana pods |
In many gardens it is grown as a decorative plant, due to its beautiful pink flowers & dazzling red pods. Though it is a tree, by regular trimming, it can be maintained to desired shape and size. This tree can be propagated with seeds or stem cuttings.
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| Bixa orellana flower |
There is a white flowering variety of Bixa; but it does not produce any coloured powder on its seeds.
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| Bixa orellana white variety |
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| Bixa orellana white variety |
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| Bixa orellana white variety |
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