Malpighia
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 Malpighia glabra
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About 45; see text |
Malpighia is a genus of about 45 species of shrubs or small trees in the family Malpighiaceae, native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. The species grow to 1-6 m tall, with a dense, often thorny crown. The leaves are evergreen, simple, 0.5-15 cm long, with an entire or serrated margin. The flowers are solitary or in umbels of two to several together, each flower 1-2 cm diameter, with five white, pink, red, or purple petals. The fruit is a red, orange or purple drupe, containing 2-3 hard seeds. It is sweet and juicy, and very rich in vitamin C.
- Selected species
- Malpighia aquifolia
- Malpighia coccigera
- Malpighia cubensis
- Malpighia emarginata
- Malpighia glabra (Acerola)
- Malpighia mexicana
- Malpighia suberosa
- Malpighia urens (Cowhage)
