Malpighia emarginata DC.


Family: MALPIGHIACEAE
Sub-Family: Not available
English Name: Barbados Cherry
Synonym: Malpighia retusa Benth.
Common Name: Acerola
Flowering & Fruiting Period: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer
Distribution: Native to South America.
Habitat: Cultivated
Uses: The fruits are edible, usually eaten raw but also made into juices, baby food, jam, etc. It is also grown as ornaments and for hedges.
Key Characteristics: Malpighia emarginata or also known in various names such as acerola, Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry, and wild crepe myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a short bole and spreading branches. It usually grows about 2-3 m in height. The branches are brittle. The leaves are simple ovate-lanceolate, opposite, and with small hairs. The flowers are bisexual with five pink or red petals. The fruits are bright red drupes, juicy, and has high vitamin C content making the fruits taste sour.