Couroupita guianensis or more commonly called the Cannonball Tree, is a spectacular tree native to tropical northern South America. Although it is found throughout the tropical world, often as an ornamental curiosity. The tree takes its common name from the fruit which resemble cannon balls. That is large brown balls approximately 20cm (8 inches) in diameter. Although perhaps most amazing of all are the large pink, white and orange flowers lined with stamens. The flowers do not contain nectar, instead produce two types of pollen, with that from the dorsal anthers being infertile, and soley producing this infertile pollen to attract various bees and similar pollen feeders to perform the pollination. The tree itself is large, growing to approximately 35 meters in height.

Location: Singapore
Image Size: 5315 x 3543 Pixels

Photographer: Scott Douglass