Annotto Fibre

ANNOTTO FIBRE

The stems of the leaves of this shrub (Bixa orellana) are used for rope making by the natives of St. Domingo. The plant grows to a height of 8 or 10 feet, having leaves of a reddish-brown colour and about 4-in. long. The leaves are also used to make a red dye by dissolving in an alkali, but as the colour is fugitive when exposed to light and air, it is not popular.