This large tropical tree has a pale grey-brown trunk with upright spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has glossy dark green oblong leaves and the cup-shaped rosy-red flowers appear in pendant clusters followed by large cannonball-shaped fruit. 

Hardiness zones 11 to 12 

Couroupita guianensis is naturally found in northern South America and the Amazon Basin growing in rainforests along the banks of rivers and creeks. 

It prefers a well drained deep organic rich moist soil in a protected sunny position and is drought and frost tender.

The Cannonball Tree is grown for its rounded crown, attractive flowers and its unusual large fruit. It is planted in botanical collections as a specimen tree along borders or is planted in rainforests settings as an emergent. It establishes in 2 to 3 years and is long lived. It may be difficult to obtain at nurseries.
During dry periods the tree sheds foliage and may prove to be messy. ID 2948

Couroupita (koo-ROOP-i-ta) guianensis (gee-a-NEN-sis)

Lecythidaceae (LESS-ee-thee-DAY-see-ee)