Home to the plants of the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts
Bixaceae, Achiot, Annatto or Lipstick-tree Family
The Bixaceae or the Achiote, Annatto or Lipstick-tree family is a small family with representative’s consisting of; forbs/herbs, shrubs and trees. Flowers bisexual with 5 sepals. The type genus is Achiote, the source of Annatto which is an orange-red condiment and food coloring produced from seeds. Some plants also produce red, orange or yellow latex.
In Bixaceae there are only 4 plant genera and 23 accepted species names. 5 species in North America. Arizona has 1 genus with 2 species.
