The incredible cannonball tree in this painting is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, and is cultivated in many other tropical areas throughout the world due to its lovely, fragrant flowers and large fruits.

Some trees flower profusely until the entire trunk is covered with racemes. One tree can hold as many as 1000 flowers per day. The flowers are strongly scented, and are especially fragrant at night and in the early morning.

The fruits are spherical with a woody shell and reach diameters of up to 25 cm, hence the name “cannonball tree”.