Malpighia punicifolia Nana

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:

• Byrsonima crassifolia, Malpighia crassifolia (Nancy Tree, Golden Spoon, Nance)
• Malpighia coccigera (Miniature Holly, Singapore Holly, Florida Holly)
• Malpighia glabra (Barbados Cherry, Acerola, Malphigia, Cerejeira)