Translate this page:

Summary

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. The fruits are edible, usually eaten raw but also made into juices, baby food, jam, etc. Acerola is native to South America, southern Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Central America. It is also grown as ornaments and for hedges.

Physical Characteristics

Malpighia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Malpighia berteroana Spreng. Malpighia glabra Hort. Malpighia lanceolata Griseb. Malpighia punicifol

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[301 ]. The bright red fruit can range in flavour from sweet to somewhat acid[296 , 301 ]. As well as being eaten out of hand, they can also be stewed, made into juices, sauces, jellies, jams, wines or purees[301 , 317 ]. The fruits are very rich in vitamin C (1 - 4 g per 100 g juice)[296 , 317 ]. They are widely used in the preparation of vitamin tablets and other nutritional supplements[301 ]. The juice is added to other juices in order to improve their nutritional value[317 ]. Plants can produce 2 - 3 crops of fruit a year[296 ].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The fruits are considered beneficial against liver problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs and colds[303 ]. The bark exudes a gum that is recommended as a pectoral[348 ]. Known historically as a natural source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Ascorbic acid levels in fresh acerola fruit are in the range of 1.5 to 4% by weight. A glass of acerola juice (180-ml) contains 35mg/ml of ascorbic acid the same as 14 litres of orange Juice.

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Agroforestry Uses: Grown as an edible hedge[317 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in good soil and a sunny position[296 ]. Seedlings can fruit when only 2 - 3 years old but are not always of as good quality as their parents[296 ]. Flowering Time: Mid-Spring, Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: Pink. Spacing: 15-18 in. (38-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm) 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) 36-48 in. (90-120 cm) 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m). Dwarf varieties are available with a compact habit growing to approx 1.5m (5ft).

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - Cuttings

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Acerola, Barbados Cherry, West Indian Cherry, Wild Crapemyrtle, Cereza,

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Yucatán, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Belize, Guatemala, French Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Banisteriopsis caapi	Yage, Ayahuasca, Caapi	Climber	30.0	10-12		LMH	SN	M	0	4	0
Bunchosia armeniaca	Ameixa Do Peru		0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Byrsonima crassifolia	Golden Spoon, Nance, Nancy Tree	Tree	12.0	9-12	S	LMH	N	DM	4	2	3
Malpighia emarginata	Acerola, Barbados Cherry	Shrub	4.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	M	4	0	2
Malpighia glabra	Escobillo, Acerola	Shrub	6.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	M	4	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

DC.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Malpighia - DC.