The domestication of Annatto (Bixa orellana) from Bixa urucurana in Amazonia

摘要: Annatto (Bixa orellana) is an important colorant domesticated in the Neotropics, although it not clear where or from which wild populations. We reviewed available biological, archaeological, and ethnographic information about annatto, integrated this with our recent ethnobotanical observations of cultivated non–cultivated populations order to evaluate hypothesis that what classified as Bixa urucurana ancestor orellana. Most B. we found Amazonia occurred open forests anthropogenic landscapes, never cultivated, always associated riparian environments. While annatto produces abundant pigment, observed contained variable amounts very little nearly amount suggesting gene flow non–cultivated. has indehiscent fruits, indicate changes dehiscence during domestication, a notable feature rarely other tree species. Local residents identified (urucum bravo), they emphasized their smaller fruits less spontaneous regeneration, non–use, hybridize annatto. Ethnography symbolic importance but explicit mention origin only comes southern Amazonia. Although oldest archaeological record came Caribbean, domestication northern South America, since does occur Caribbean. Traditional ecological knowledge morphology close relationship between (never cultivated) orellana (always cultivated). Evidence reported here strongly supports Kuntze’s (1925) suggestion Willd. variety L., thus identifying