Acerola, Barbados Cherry
Malpighia emarginata
Family: Malpighiaceae
What it is like
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.
Malpighia emarginata 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.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Not known
C. America - Mexico to northern S. America and the Caribbean.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Central America, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Lesser Antilles, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, St. Lucia, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, West Indies,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw or cooked. The bright red fruit can range in flavour from sweet to somewhat acid. As well as being eaten out of hand, they can also be stewed, made into juices, sauces, jellies, jams, wines or purees. The fruits are very rich in vitamin C (1 - 4 g per 100 g juice). They are widely used in the preparation of vitamin tablets and other nutritional supplements. The juice is added to other juices in order to improve their nutritional value. Plants can produce 2 - 3 crops of fruit a year.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 0
The fruits are considered beneficial against liver problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs and colds. The bark exudes a gum that is recommended as a pectoral. 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.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content
Other
Rating: 2
Agroforestry Uses: Grown as a hedge. Other Uses None known
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Easily grown in a good soil and a sunny position. Seedlings can fruit when only 2 - 3 years old, but are not always of as good quality as their parents. 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).
Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings
Best place to grow:
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Acerola, Barbados Cherry, West Indian Cherry, Wild Crapemyrtle, Cereza,
Synonyms
Malpighia berteroana Spreng. Malpighia glabra Hort. Malpighia lanceolata Griseb. Malpighia punicifol