Cannonball tree Couroupita guianensis
Cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Lecythidaceae family, native to Northern South America (the Guianas and Amazonia; seasonally flooded forest). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 9 m (30 ft) apart.
Plan Cannonball tree in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cannonball tree at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lecythidaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 9 m (30 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern South America (the Guianas and Amazonia; seasonally flooded forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Cannonball tree toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity reported. Falling fruits (up to about 3 kg) are a hazard: keep paths and seats clear.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cannonball tree
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Cannonball tree in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (2 plants)
Questions about Cannonball tree
- How far apart should I plant Cannonball tree?
- About 9 m (30 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Cannonball tree need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cannonball tree need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Cannonball tree?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Cannonball tree flower?
- From about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cannonball tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported. Falling fruits (up to about 3 kg) are a hazard: keep paths and seats clear.
- What grows well with Cannonball tree?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cannonball tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- Fragrant waxy pink-red flowers and round brown fruits hang from long tangled stalks on the trunk (cauliflory); a specimen tree in Singapore, not native there.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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