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Malpighia
glabra L.
Synonym : Bunchosia parvifolia S.Watson
Family
: Malpighiaceae
Local Names
: Acerola, Barbados cherry,
Malphigia
Flowering
and fruiting period:
June – January
Distribution: Native of West Indies
Habitat: Cultivated
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: No
Uses: Fruits edible. The fruits are
considered beneficial against liver problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs and
colds. The bark exudes a gum that is recommended as a pectoral. The plants are
suitable for hedges. The bark has been used as a source of tannin.
Key
Characters:
Shrubs; branches glabrous. Leaves
opposite, ovate-elliptic or almost oblong-lanceolate. Corymbs 4-12 flowered;
bracts ovate-lanceolate; bracteoles lanceolate. Flowers; flower-buds
subglobose. Calyx-lobes oblong to subelliptic; glands oblong. Petals obovate,
ovate or suborbicular, whitish-pink. Filaments; anthers ovoid. Fruit is a
drupe.
