| General Description | B. orellana is a large evergreen shrub native to the tropics of South America and Central America. It bears small pink blossoms followed by showy, bright red, bristly seed capsules. It often grows wider than tall as a shrub, giving it a domed appearance. |
| ID Characteristic | Three easy ways to identify B. orellana are by its flowers, fruit, and by the stain of its seeds. Flowers are light pink-white and resemble single wild roses. Fruits form bright red, egg-shaped, bristly capsules. Capsules that split open when ripe contain seeds which can be rubbed on as a lipstick substitute, hence the name ‘lipstick tree’. |
| Shape | B. orellana is usually seen growing as a large hedge with a wide, low canopy. |
| Landscape | Recommended for roadside plantings or as an informal hedge in spaces such as gardens and parks. B. orellana is commonly planted for its easy growth and ornamental flowers that are attractive to bees, as well as for the brightly coloured seed pods. |
| Propagation | Propagate from either seed or by using stem cuttings. Sow seeds in the nursery at a spacing of 25 cm x 10 cm and a minimum depth of 2.5 cm because of their long taproots. Germination occurs within 8 to 10 days. Transplant seedlings after four months, when they are 15-25 cm tall, preferably at the onset of the rains. |
| Cultivation | Tolerates a wide range of soil types, preferring well drained soil with a pH that is neutral or slightly alkaline. Grows impressively and thrives when planted deeply in rich soils abundant in organic matter. Requires high humidity, warm temperatures, and a location with full sun. Can tolerate situations of drought for periods of up to 4 months but generally requires moist soil and well distributed rainfall. Drier soil is preferred when maturing fruit. |
| Pests | No significant or serious pests, mildew can affect younger plants. |
| Habitat | B. orellana can be found growing below altitudes in coastal or inland tropical/subtropical thickets and forests in South America. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Bark ranges from light to dark brown, tough and appears smooth, sometimes fissured and contains lenticels. Inner bark is pinkish towards the outside with an orange, slightly bitter sap. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Flower buds are red and spherical on branchlets about 20 cm long. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are spirally arranged, simple, stipulate, ovate, 7.5-24 x 4-16 cm, shallowly cordate to truncate at base, longly acuminate at apex, green or dark green above, grey or brownish-green beneath; scaly when young. Glabrous, petiole terete, thickened at both ends, 2-12 cm long. |
| Flower Description | B. orellana is usually seen flowering between the months of September and October, in Mexico flowers occur in November; sometimes observed flowering a second time in spring. |
| Texture Description | Bark is tough and appears smooth, sometimes fissuring. |