Malpighia

Malpighia is a genus of about 45 species of shrubs or small trees in the family Malpighiaceae, native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. The species grow to 1-6 m (3-20 ft) tall, with a dense, often thorny crown. The leaves are evergreen, simple, 0.5-15 cm (0.2-5.9 in) long, with an entire or serrated margin. The flowers are solitary or in umbels of two to several together, each flower 1-2 cm (0-1 in) diameter, with five white, pink, red, or purple petals. The fruit is a red, orange or purple drupe, containing 2-3 hard seeds. M. glabra and M. emarginata are cultivated for their sweet and juicy fruits, which are very rich in vitamin C.

Selected species

Malpighia aquifolia L., 1753
Malpighia cauliflora Proctor & Vivaldi, 1982
Malpighia coccigera L., 1753 - Singapore Holly
Malpighia cubensis Kunth, 1822 - Palo Bronco de Hoja Pequeña (Cuba)
Malpighia emarginata DC., 1824 - Barbados Cherry (Southern Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, northern South America)
Malpighia glabra L., 1753 - Acerola (southern Texas, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, northern South America); possibly a synonym of M. emarginata
Malpighia harrisii Small, 1913
Malpighia mexicana A.Juss., 1840
Malpighia obtusifolia Proctor, 1967
Malpighia proctorii Vivaldi, 1982
Malpighia suberosa Small, 1910
Malpighia urens L., 1753 - Cowhage (Caribbean)

Translation

The word "Malpighia" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.

Translation(s) in other languages: Thai: เชอร์รี่สเปน, Vietnamese: Chi Sơ ri.