#guianensis

Cannon ball tree  (Couroupita guianensis)

Through all my travels, and people’s private plant collections, this tree was a delightful discovery today.   

The soft colorful flowers hang on vine-like pendulums - hundreds per tree.  The fruit, by which it gets its common name, are the size but only a fraction of the weight of a real cannon ball.  Despite the lack of weight, a dropped fruit from the height of the tree would still pack a punch.

Fruits are edible, but due to its putrid smell, highly unlikely that anyone would dare try it.  They are however eaten by javelina.