Family: Malpighiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 425 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Malpighia
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. Texas to Venezuela and Ecuador, Caribbean
Description
Wild crapemyrtle, known scientifically as Malpighia glabra, is a resilient and versatile plant native to a range of areas extending from South Texas through to Venezuela and Ecuador, including the Caribbean. This widespread distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions and terrains.
First described in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned naturalist Carl Linnaeus, Malpighia glabra belongs to the Malpighiaceae family. The species is notable for its attractive appearance and hardy nature, making it a popular choice for ornamental landscaping in regions with suitable climates.
The wild crapemyrtle features small, glossy leaves that provide a lush green backdrop throughout the year. Its flowers are typically small and delicate, often ranging in color from white to a light pink hue, and are arranged in clusters that add a soft, aesthetic appeal to the plant. Following the flowering period, the plant produces small, red to reddish-purple berries that are both decorative and a source of food for local wildlife.
In addition to its ornamental value, Malpighia glabra is often appreciated for its medicinal properties in traditional practices across its native range. The fruit, commonly referred to as ‘acerola’ or ‘Barbados cherry’, is rich in vitamin C and has been used to support immune health and treat various ailments.
Given its range of uses and adaptability, the wild crapemyrtle serves as a prime example of a plant that is not only ecologically significant but also culturally and economically valuable. Whether adorning gardens and parks or being utilized in traditional medicine, Malpighia glabra continues to be an integral component of the landscape across its native regions.
Common Names
Eng: barbados cherry, wild crapemyrtle
Spa: acerola, escobillo
Por: acerola, cerejeira-das-antilhas, cerejeira-do-pará
En: Wild crapemyrtle, Barbados-cherry, Barbados cherry, ACEROLA, Huesito, West Indian cherry
Ar: ملبيغة جرداء
Bg: Ацерола
Ca: Acerola
Zh: 西印度樱桃, 黃褥花
Cs: Malpígie lysá
Nl: Acerola
Eo: Acerolo
Fi: Barbadoksenakerola
Fr: Acérole, Cerise antillaise, Acérolier, Cerise des Antilles
De: Acerola
He: אסרולה
Ml: വെസ്റ്റ് ഇന്ത്യൻ ചെറി
Fa: آسرولا
Pl: Malpigia granatolistna
Pt: Acerola, Cerejeira-das-antilhas, Cerejeira-do-pará, Cereja do Pará, Cerejeira, Gineira da Jamaica
Ro: Acerola
Ru: Мальпигия голая
Es: Acerola, Escobillo, Acerola de las Antillas, Cereza, Cereza de Barbados, Cereza de Jamaica, Semeruco
Sv: Acerola
Zh-tw: 黃褥花
Th: เชอร์รีสเปน
To: ʻAselola
Zh-hant: 西印度櫻桃
Tr: Barbados kirazı
Vi: Sơ ri
Synonyms
- Malpighia oxycocca var. biflora ((Poir.) Nied.)
- Malpighia biflora (Poir.)
- Malpighia fallax (Salisb.)
- Malpighia glabra var. antillana (Urb. & Nied.)
- Malpighia glabra var. acuminata (A.Juss.)
- Malpighia myrtifolia (Desf.)
- Malpighia undulata (A.Juss.)
- Malpighia punicifolia (L.)
- Malpighia peruviana (Moric.)
- Malpighia semeruco (A.Juss.)
- Malpighia glabra var. undulata (Nied.)
- Malpighia neumanniana (A.Juss.)
- Malpighia myrtoides (Moritz ex Nied.)
- Malpighia glabra var. typica (Nied.)
- Malpighia glabra var. lancifolia (Nied.)
- Malpighia glabra var. guatemalensis (Nied.)
Distribution
- Aruba (native)
- Belize (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Texas (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Jan 17, 2021 by rezende maria izabel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Pedro Freitas Pedro Henrique De Freitas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Oliveira Vander (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Lazo Sabri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Lazo Sabri (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 2, 2021 by Heather Smead (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2021 by omarmco (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2021 by Roberto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 17, 2019 by anto Felix (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Chamrek Erika (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 8, 2020 by Zumbado Manuel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Yan kretschmer napoleão (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2021 by Basavaraj Kavishetti (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2021 by m Fauvette (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 12, 2021 by tatu aéreo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by kate lester (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Lazo Sabri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Chamrek Erika (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Christian Pires De Abreu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 11, 2021 by vickers clau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Lazo Sabri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 19, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 6, 2022 by El Harrison (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5421429)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:557048-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Malpighia glabra L.)