Malpighia emarginata

Malpighia emarginata
Malpighia emarginata specimen in a greenhouse.
Scientific name	Malpighia emarginata
Common names	Acerola; Barbados cherry; West Indian cherry
Genus	Malpighia
Family	Malpighiaceae
Order	Malpighiales
Fruit type	Drupe
Growth form	Evergreen shrub or small tree
Native range	Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua in the Kew native-distribution record; many other regions are listed as introduced.
Mature size	Variable; source-specific
Years to fruit	Roughly after two years from seed in the cited production account; cutting-grown plants may bear earlier; variable

Malpighia emarginata is acerola, also called Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry.

Description

Habit of Malpighia emarginata in Waikapu, Maui.

Malpighia emarginata is the accepted scientific name for acerola, also called Barbados cherry or West Indian cherry. It is a compact fruiting shrub or small tree with small, shiny red to vermilion drupes. Historical acerola literature and image labels sometimes use *Malpighia glabra* or *M. punicifolia*; those names should not be silently treated as current synonyms ^[1][2][3].

Distribution and habitat

Kew's native-distribution record covers parts of Mexico and Central America, including Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The species occurs both wild and cultivated, but its precise native forest, savanna, coastal, or floodplain habitat remains unresolved and is recorded as N/A ^[1][3].

Cultivation

Soil and water

The cited production account describes the plant as not very demanding, with better results in slightly clayey, well-drained soil. Approximately 1,700–2,000 mm of annual rainfall is reported as optimal in that source, but it should be treated as a production observation rather than a universal irrigation prescription ^[3].

Sun and humidity

A precise species-specific shade or atmospheric-humidity requirement was not supported by the authoritative sources checked. Keep the plant in a bright, well-drained site and treat exact humidity requirements as N/A rather than transferring generic cherry guidance ^[3].

Seasonal changes

The species can produce several annual harvests in suitable climates. Pl@ntUse mentions early fall as a harvest period and fruit picking every two to three days during harvest periods, but it does not establish a universal flowering calendar or dormancy pattern ^[3].

Propagation

Seed propagation is documented, with emergence reported at about 30–40 days. Terminal-twig cuttings of about 20–30 cm are also reported, although they may require six months to a year before planting. Cuttings preserve selected large-fruited or high-yield individuals ^[3].

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Flowers are hermaphroditic and occur in small corymbs or axillary/terminal umbels. The red, shiny, slightly ribbed drupes are about 1–2 cm across and should be picked frequently during harvest because they are highly perishable. Fruit quality and vitamin-C concentration vary with genotype and maturity ^[3].

Fruit and uses

Acerola is eaten fresh or stewed and is processed into juice, preserves, jam, syrup, jelly, ice cream, sauces, and sherbets. The high ascorbic-acid figures reported by Pl@ntUse are source-specific and decline as fruit matures; they should not be presented as a fixed value for every selection ^[3].

Photos

References

• ↑ [1] Kew Plants of the World Online, accepted name and distribution.

• ↑ [2] GBIF species match, family and order.

• ↑ [3] Pl@ntUse, morphology, cultivation, propagation and uses.

Image credits

• Wikifruit-Malpighia-emarginata-01.jpg — Daderot; Public domain (PD-self). Commons file page.
• Wikifruit-Malpighia-emarginata-02.jpg — Forest and Kim Starr; CC BY 3.0 US. Commons file page.
• Wikifruit-Malpighia-emarginata-03.jpg — Forest and Kim Starr; CC BY 3.0 US. Commons file page.
• Starr-090813-4194-Malpighia emarginata-flowers-Kahului-Maui (24853488252).jpg — Forest and Kim Starr; CC BY 3.0 US. Commons file page.

Research note: Exact humidity, precise native habitat, and named cultivars were not sufficiently supported. Preserve the historical M. glabra/M. punicifolia naming qualifier.