Annatto (Lipstick Plant (Bixa orellana)

Family: Bixaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Borassus aethiopium, otherwise known as African Fan Palm, Borassus Palm, or African Palmyra Palm, is a bottle shaped and smooth palm that can reach up to 25 m high when fully matured. It is named as such due to its crown composed of cluster of fan-shaped leaves. It is a dioecious species. The leaves are reportedly aphrodisiac and roots are used as mouthwash and against stomach parasites, bronchitis, sore throats and asthma.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

tasteless. — Edible portion: Seeds, Spice.; The seeds are relatively tasteless.; They are briefly steeped in hot oil which is then strained and cooled to be used as a flavouring in various dishes.; The whole seeds can be ground into a paste with various other spices, which gives a more pronounced flavour.

Habitat & North American Range

Coastal and inland thickets. Tropical forests. (Zone 10)