Couroupita
(native name). A small genus, containing four species of trees belonging to the TRIBE Lecythideoe of ORD. Myrtaceoe. The clusters of flowers spring from the trunks and branches. Leaves alternate, entire or obscurely crenate; stipules lanceolate, deciduous. All are natives of tropical America; none are met with in cultivation, except in botanic gardens. The best-known is C. guianensis (the Cannon-ball tree), the cup-like fruit shells serving various purposes.