Bixa Orellana

Introduction

Family: Bixaceae
Nama Melayu: Kesumba, Inai Keling, Kunyit Jawa,Anatto, Jarak Belanda
Other names:. Annatto, lipstick tree, Achiote, Arnotta.

Information

This plant can reach heights of up to 20 feet. The leaves are green and shaped like a heart. The fruit is arranged in bergugusan and colored red and hairy. When ripe it turns to dark brown and scaly and red colored seeds showing seed.

Use

As the dyes in food, clothing, wood kindling.

Poisoned

Toxic Part: Leaves, fruits, roots
Active ingredients: Bixin, norbixin                

Effects of Poisoning

This plant can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the skin. Tests on rats found it increases the level of glucose in the blood.