Family: Lecythidaceae
Scientific name: Couroupita guianensis
Common name: Cannonball tree
Origin: South America
The cannonball tree can grow up to 35 meters high in nature, and is a high, tropical tree with abundant flowering. Up to a thousand flowers can open in only one day, which is why the branches and trunk are sometimes completely covered by flowers. The red-yellow flowers are about six centimetres wide and spread a scent to attract bees, especially during the night. After pollination, 25 cm large, round fruits are produced. These are heavy and fall like a cannon ball of the tree when they are ripe. On the ground, they burst open, and the fruit flesh is eaten by animals. The seeds are resistant to digestion, which enables them to be spread through the faeces of the animal. The fruits are also edible to us, but do not smell very attractive.
The species can also be kept as a container plant or grown in a heated greenhouse or conservatory.
The seeds can only be preserved for a limited time, which is why the delivery time can amount to several months (depending on the season).
Sowing description: Sow the seeds in sowing mix and let them germinate at around 25 degC. Keep the soil constantly moist.
Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermedaite
Minimum temperature: 15 degreesCelsius
