This small tree bears panicles of white or pink flowers similar to wild roses, and a hairy, reddish fruit capsule containing 30 to 50 seeds. It is very popular with bees. Annatto colors are obtained from the seeds. The pericarb of the seed contains a
coloring material, which is obtained by extraction. The red seed coats (arils) are also scraped off for use as an orange-red dye. The
dye colors cheese, butter and chocolate and is used locally to flavor rice
The coloring material from the seed is obtained by extraction with alkali. The coloring matter
is chiefly the carotenoid-bixin; upon saponification, the methyl ester group is split off, resulting in the diacid-norbixin.
