There has been some confusion over the correct name for the Barbados cherry, also known as the Acerola. Current thinking seems to be that there are two closely related species, this one and M. emarginata. This species is known as Barbados cherry or Escobillo and is not the species cultivated commercially in Puerto Rico, whilst M. emarginata, also known as the Barbados cherry is also called Acerolla and is cultivated for its fruit in Puerto Rico.

Common Name: Escobillo

General Information

Malpighia glabra is a graceful, much-branched evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading, more or less drooping branches on a short bole. It usually grows 2 - 3 metres tall, but can reach 6 metres[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes cultivated in tropical areas for its edible fruit[, ]. The plants have ornamental value and can be used to form hedges. They are very suitable for backyards and places where children play (to eat the fruits and to climb the trees)[, , , ].
Malpighia glabra has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern N. America - Texas and Mexico, through central America to Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador; throughout theCaribbean

Habitat

Rocky limestone, from sea level to 1,000 metres[]. Moist or dry forest or thickets, chiefly on the plains,thriving at elevations between sea level and 800 metres, but it can be found at elevations up to 1,800 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Malpighia glabra is 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[]..

Edible Uses

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[].

Medicinal

The fruits are considered beneficial against liver problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs and colds[].

A decoction of the bark is taken internally as an astringent in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

The bark exudes a gum that is recommended as a pectoral[].

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[].

Propagation

Seed - germination is slow, with only 5 - 50% of the seed germinating[].
Cuttings - cuttings of half-ripe wood, with entire leaves, in a frame with bottom heat[].
Layering
Grafting

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