Aspect

Details

Common Names

Vermilion Plant (Hindi), Annatto (English)

Botanical Name

Bixa orellana

Plant Description

Small tropical shrub; known for bright red seeds.

Fruit Description

Circular fruits in oval capsule clusters, red-brown seed pods covered with soft spines.

Native Region

Brazil

Cultivation Regions

South and Central America, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia, India, Kenya, East Africa

Climate Requirements

Warm, humid, frost-free climate; requires full direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

Grows in almost any soil; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils

Uses

- Seeds used in food, textile, paint, and cosmetics industries 

- Extract used as industrial food color for cheese, butter, margarine, etc.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Sindoor plant (Bixa orellana):

1. It is native to Brazil and requires a warm, humid, frost-free climate with full direct sunlight for optimal growth.
2. Its seeds are used exclusively in the cosmetics industry and have no applications in the food industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Sindoor plant is native to Brazil and requires warm, humid, frost-free climate with full sunlight.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The seeds are used not only in the cosmetics industry but also widely in the food, textile, and paint industries. The extract is used as an industrial food color for products like cheese, butter, and margarine.