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Magnoliopsida
Malpighia glabra L.
EOL Text
Malpighia glabra, known as Barbados-cherry, acerola, or wild crapemyrtle, is an evergreen broadleaf shrub native to southern Texas in the U.S., the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. The fruits are edible, and are used in preserves and beverages. This species is sometimes confused with the more widely cultivated species, M. emarginata (previously called M. punicifolia), as well as with a cultivated hybrid between M. glabra and M. emarginata, all of which are referred to by the same common names. Much of what has been referred to as M. glabra in older botanical literature is more properly classified as M. emarginata.
M. glabra grows to 3 m (10 feet tall) and 1.2 m (4 feet) wide, with slender, hairless branches. It has opposite, entire (smooth-margined) leaves, 2–7.5 cm (1–3 inches) long that are glossy dark green above, and paler below, with short petioles (leaf stalks). The small, bisexual (perfect) flowers are generally about 1 cm (1/2 inch) in diameter, and are pale to deep pink or red, and generally occur in axillary clusters (umbels) of 3 to 8. The distinctive flowers have 5 sepals (with glands) and 5 petals with fringed margins that are quite narrow at the bases; the long-stemmed petals hold them clear of the central cluster of 10 stamens. The fruits, which are berry-like but are technically drupes (fleshy fruits surrounding hard pits or stones), are small and round, about the size of a small cherry. Fruits are red when ripe and contain 3 seeds, which are generally 4-angled.
Fruits, which are similar to but smaller than those of the cultivated varieties of M. emarginata, are thin-skinned with a juicy pulp and tart, acidic flavor. They are used in jams and beverages, and are high in vitamin C.
Some species of Malpighia, including M. emarginata, have stinging hairs that may cause skin rashes, which can be used to distinguish them from the smooth, hairless and stingless M. glabra. In addition, M. glabra has smaller and more pointed leaves than M. emarginata.
(Bailey et al. 1976, Everett 1981, Flora: Gardener’s Encyclopedia 2003, Morton 1987)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Jacqueline Courteau, Jacqueline Courteau |
Source | No source database. |
Distribution: Indigenous to tropical S. America; W. Indies, USA.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=220008079 |
An evergreen tree or large shrub. Flowers c. 12 mm broad, reddish pink. Drupes dark red, with a thin epicarp.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=220008079 |
Habit: Shrub
Comments: Rough pastures, thickets, rocky ground 0-3000 feet.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Malpighia+glabra |
Fl. Per.: March-April.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=220008079 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 20
Species With Barcodes: 1
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Stoner, N., NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Malpighia+glabra |
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
Reasons: Very common in Jamaica and widespread.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Stoner, N., NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Malpighia+glabra |
Malpighia glabra is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae. It has often been confused with the cultivated crop tree M. emarginata, but has small insipid fruit and a very different flower structure.[2]
References[edit]
Wikispecies has information related to: Malpighia glabra |
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
- ^ Genetic resources of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and nuts (excluding Musa). International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. 1986.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malpighia_glabra&oldid=617992937 |