This shrub has a short grey brown trunk with upright arching branches that form a vase habit with a rounded crown. It has glossy dark green oblong leaves and the small wheel-shaped pink flowers appear in a cluster followed by a red fruit.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Malpighia glabrais naturally found in North America from southern Texas to the West Indies and extending to South America growing in a variety of habitats on the coast and inland.

It prefers a well drained moderately fertile moist soil that is tending acidic in an open sunny to partly shaded position and is drought and mildly frost tolerant, but is sensitive to over watering.

The Barbados Cherry is grown for its fruit and upright habit. It is planted in small gardens along borders for screening or as a specimen plant that is commonly cultivated for its fruit. It is suitable coastal and inland regions establishing in 3-4 years and is moderately long lived. It is also grown as a container plant and is suitable as a courtyard specimen. Bonsai enthusiasts commonly used this plant as a subject.ID 3276

Note:
The fruit has over 10 times the amount of vitamin C found in oranges and is commonly juiced into appetising drink or used in the production of jams and is added to other products such as baby food to increase of vitamin C content.

Malpighia(mal-PEE-gee-ah) glabra(GLAH-brah)

Malpighiaceae (mal-PIEE-gee-AY-see-ee)