Anthropos: Anthropos, 69.1974

Anthropos, 69.1974

Bibliographic Data

Journal

Structure Type:: Journal

Works URN (URL):: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-714820

URN:: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-714820

Persistent identifier:: BV043334262

Title:: Anthropos

Sub Title:: internationale Zeitschrift für Völker- u. Sprachenkunde

Place of Publication:: Fribourg

Publisher:: Ed. St. Paul

Year of Publication:: 1906

Collection:: Journals and Newspapers > Journals of Ethnology

Domain:: Social and cultural anthropology > General overview

Journal Volume

Structure Type:: Journal Volume

Works URN (URL):: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-711778

URN:: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-711778

Persistent identifier:: 1510649436189

Title:: Anthropos, 69.1974

Year of Publication:: 1974

Call Number:: LA 1118

Collection:: Journals and Newspapers > Journals of Ethnology

Journal Issue

Structure Type:: Journal Issue

Title:: Bd. 69, 1974, Heft 1-2

Collection:: Journals and Newspapers > Journals of Ethnology

Journal Article

Structure Type:: Journal Article

Title:: Bixa Orellana: "The Eternal Shrub"

Other person:: Donkin, R. A.

Collection:: Journals and Newspapers > Journals of Ethnology

Bixa orellana: “The Eternal Shrub” R. A. Donkin Bixa is a monotypic genus of the family Bixaceae. 1 he taxonomy is still obscure, but it appears that there are at least two species 1 . The more important is Bixa orellana L., an evergreen shrub that is confined to the frost-free tropics and normally requires an annual rainfall of 1250 to 1500 mm. Many varieties , both wild and cultivated, have been reported. Ihe fruits of B. orellana (sup posedly named after Francisco Orellana 2 , discoverer of the Amazon [1540-41]) are characteristically covered with spines, but one variety without bristles is found in cultivation. The capsules burst on ripening, exposing 30 to 50 ovoid seeds surrounded by a thick red-brown pulp or aril. Diego de Landa, 1566 (1937: 162), described B. orellana as a tree ... bearing spiny pods like chestnuts, but not so large or so rough; they open when ripe and contain small seeds which both Spaniards and Indians use to colour fheir condiments, as one does with saffron; the colour is marked and stains a great deal” 3 . The earliest known illustration (Fig. 1) appeared in the Historia Natural de Nueva España by Francisco Hernández, 1571—76 (1959/1.27—28). 1. The New World a) Nomenclature Bixa orellana, its seeds and the prepared dyestuff, are known by many names, some of which have regional or wider provenance, notably bixa, achiote, uy ucû. and annatto. 1 Hemsley 1879/1' 56: Standley and Williams 1961: 65-67: Hillebrand 1965; 19. 2 Standley and Williams 1961: 67. But see note 42 infra. 3 For other early descriptions of the shrub, see Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes (!535) 1959/1; 253; Las Casas (1559) 1958; 48; Vazquez de Espinosa (ca. 1628) 1942: no - 683; Cobo (1653) 1956/1: 254; also Alcedo (1786-89) 1967/IV: 260. Anth ■ropos 69. 1974 3

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