Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis)
Scientific Name: Couroupita guianensis — Cannonball Tree.
Native Home: Tropical northern South America, especially the Amazon region.
Height: 20–35 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades; some trees may live over 100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Wood is used locally for light construction and small wooden items.
Harvesting: Mainly cultivated as an ornamental tree; its large, spherical fruits are collected when mature.
Age to Harvest: Flowers may appear after about 5–7 years under suitable conditions; timber requires several decades.
Products: Ornamental plants, traditional medicinal preparations, and locally used wood.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Used in traditional practices across parts of tropical South America and South Asia.
Global Spread: Grown as an ornamental tree in tropical botanical gardens, parks, and temple grounds worldwide.
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