Bixaceae

Taxobox
name = Bixaceae

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image_caption = "Bixa orellana" (Achiote)
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Malvales
familia = Bixaceae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Amoreuxia" (yellowshow) "Bixa" (achiote) "Cochlospermum"

Bixaceae, or the achiote family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants. Under the Cronquist system, it was traditionally placed in the order Violales. However, newer arrangements move it, with some other families previously in the Violales families, into the Malvales.

Bixaceae includes 3 genera and a total of 25 species, although "Cochlospermum" is sometimes placed into its own family, Cochlospermaceae. The best-known of the species in this family is the source of annatto, the achiote, which belongs to the type genus of the family.

Although small, this family has the diversity within to include trees, herbs and shrubs. The plants are bisexual, and all species have five sepals. All plants within the Bixaceae produce a red, orange or yellow latex.

External links

* [http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/bixaceae.htm Bixaceae] in [http://delta-intkey.com/angio/ L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval.] http://delta-intkey.com