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Cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis)

Description

Couroupita guianensis is a tree that reaches heights of up to 35 metres (110 ft). The leaves, which occur in clusters at the ends of branches, are usually 8 to 31 centimeters (3 to 12 inches) long, but can reach lengths of up to 57 centimeters (22 inches).The flowers are born in racemes up to 80 centimeters (31 inches) long. Some trees flower profusely until the entire trunk is covered with racemes. One tree can hold as many as 1000 flowers per day. The flowers are strongly scented, and are especially fragrant at night and in the early morning.They are up to 6 centimeters (2.5 inches) in diameter, with six petals, and are typically brightly colored, with the petals ranging from shades of pink and red near the bases to yellowish toward the tips. There are two areas of stamens: a ring of stamens at the center, and an arrangement of stamens that have been modified into a hood.The fruits are spherical with a woody shell and reach diameters of up to to 25 centimeters (10 inches), which give the species the common name "cannonball tree". Smaller fruits may contain about 65 seeds, while large ones can hold as many as 550.One tree can bear 150 fruits. The fruits take up to a year to mature in most areas, sometimes as long as 18 months.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Magnoliophyta

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Ericales

            • Family: Lecythidaceae

              • Genus: Couroupita