Couroupita guianensis

1 / 10

Common name: cannonball tree (English)

Family: Lecythidaceae (Brazil-nut)

Distribution: Central & South America

Life form: Tree

Description: Couroupita guianensis is native to South America and is known for its remarkable flowers borne on specialized branches in the lower trunk. When pollinated, it produces the iconic large spherical "cannonball" fruits. Over time they become sizable trees and can take more than 10 years to start flowering, but are worth the wait. The tree drops all of its leaves for a short time once a year and then produces produces a whole new set. It does best in full sun with good drainage.

1: Plot 137 (137) • Accession: 2012-2128*A
2: Plot 137 (137) • Accession: X.1-489*A
3: Plot 45 (45) • Accession: 2013-0391*A
4: Plot 45 (45) • Accession: 2013-0391*B
5: Plot 45 (45) • Accession: 92213*B • Origin: Venezuela

Fairchild Botanic Garden

Garden Explorer

Taxon

Couroupita guianensis

Locations