Malpighia emarginata – Barbados Cherry – Malpighiaceae (The Nance Family)

Description Malpighia emarginata, known as Barbados or acerola cherry, is a tropical shrub or small tree prized for its famous, bright red, cherry-like fruits that burst with flavour and nutrition with 30-50 times the vitamin C as oranges! Small, pretty, fringed pink to red, star-shaped flowers bloom from April to November. The fruits are cherry-like drupes about one inch wide that ripen to bright red. Inside, they hide three small triangular seeds. The taste is tart, zesty and very refreshing. Fruits ripen quickly and usually appear in pairs or trios. They are fragile and should be picked gently and frequently and consumed quickly as they are highly perishable. Consume fresh, juice, or use in baking and preserves. Plant in containers on a sunny deck or garden and move indoors during the winter.