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Malpighia punicifolia Nana
Barbados-Cherry, Acerola, Dwarf Pink Mound, Malphigia, CerejeiraFamily: Malpighiaceae
Origin: West Indies, Central America
Dwarf Barbados cherry deserves more praise. Without coaxing or pampering, this 3-4-foot native produces small pink and white flowers, attracting butterflies with the sweet nectar. The dainty blooms are followed by red, very tasty cherry-like fruit, a favorite among birds. The dense, glossy, dark-green foliage lingers in mild winters, making this small shrub useful as a hedge or a year-round accent in a border. It likes sun or part sun and is drought-tolerant once established. If you'd like a larger version, the standard Barbados cherry is 7 to 9 feet tall. Acerolas grow in marl, limestone, clay and other heavy soils as long as it drains well. Has the highest vitamin C content of any fruit. 1 Cherry = 2 times the RDA and is equal to 12 oranges. Used in jellies, jams, freezes without losing its vitamin C content. The plant is drought tolerant and easy to grow.
Similar plants:
This dwarf form of Acerola makes a wonderful low-growing shrub or beautiful bonsai tree with edible fruit. Profuse bloomer, it is also a nice ornamental.
Due to its shallow and smaller root system, Acerolas can be interplanted with other crops more closely than many trees. Acerolas grows in marl, limestone, clay and other heavy soils as long as it drains well. Has the highest vitamin C content of any fruit. 1 Cherry is equal to 12 oranges. Used in jellies, jams, freezes without losing its vitamin C content. The plant is drought tolerant and easy to grow.
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