Escobillo, Acerola
Malpighia glabra

Family: Malpighiaceae

What it is like

Found in Central America, Malpighia glabra or commonly known as Escobillo is a tropical, evergreen, small fruit tree or shrub growing up to 3 m tall. It has spreading and drooping branches on its short bole. Established plants are tolerant to drought. The leaves are glossy, dark green, oval to sword-shaped, and can be wavy along the edge. The flowers are pinkish red. The bright red, ovoid fruits are eaten raw, cooked, or made into juices, sauces, jams, wines, or purees. It has a sweet flavor. It also has medicinal uses. In particular, it is used for the treatment of coughs and colds, diarrhea, dysentery, and liver problems. The bark yields a gum that is recommended as a pectoral; it is also a source of tannins. The wood is hard and heavy, and used for making small utensils.

Malpighia glabra is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. 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): 6

Where it is found

Rocky limestone, from sea level to 1,000 metres. Thrives at elevations between sea level and 800 metres, but it can be found at elevations up to 1,700 metres.

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

Africa, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico*, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA (Texas), Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, 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 ovoid fruit is 10 - 35mm in diameter.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 1

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.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: The plants are suitable for hedges. Other Uses The bark has been used as a source of tannin. The wood is hard and heavy. It can be used for making small utensils.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

A plant of the subtropics to hot, tropical, lowland areas with medium to high rainfall. It can be found at elevations up to 1,700 metres, but does best below 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 5 - 34°c. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 2,400mm. Tolerates seasonally dry periods. Easily grown in a good soil and a sunny position. Prefers a rich, deep and well drained soil but is able to tolerate a variety of soil conditions. Sandy soils carry an increasing risk of nematode infection. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 5 - 8. Requires a pH in excess of 5.5. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are fairly tolerant of salt-laden winds. Seedlings can fruit when only 2 - 3 years old, but are not always of as good quality as their parents. Trees start to produce well 3 - 4 years after planting and continue for 15 years. Plants can produce several flushes of flowers each year. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Plants can produce 2 - 3 crops of fruit a year. Individual trees can produce 15 - 30 kilos of fruit each year. Yields of 6.7 - 105 tonnes per hectare have been recorded. Plants usually require cross-pollination to ensure a good fruit set, though there are some reports of self-fertilization. Flowering Time: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: Rose/Mauve. Spacing: 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m).

Propagating it: Seed - germination is slow, with only 5 - 50% of the seed germinating. Cuttings Layering Grafting

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

Escobillo, Acerola, Barbados Cherry, Wild Crapemyrtle, Antilles cherry, Buesito, Cereso, Choeri, Escobillo, Murta, Palo bonito, San juanillo, San ruanillo, Simeyaranelli, So'ri, Vallari, West Indian cherry, Xochototl,

Synonyms

Bunchosia parvifolia S.Watson Malpighia biflora Poir. Malpighia dicipiens Sessé & Moc. Malpighia fal