Barbados-Cherry,  Dwarf Barbados-Cherry

Malpighia emarginata Sessé & Moc. ex DC. and

M. glabra L.

mal-PIG-ee-ah pu-niss-ah-FOAL-ee-ah, GLAY-bra

Malpighiaceae

Explanation of name: Malpighia is named for Italian microscopist Marcello Malpighi (1628-94). Emarginate means notched at the leaf tip. Glabrous means hairless.

Natural ranges for both species: Caribbean, Mesoamerica, South America; M. glabra also in Texas (HUX)

Recognition and Synonymy: There is confusion among the names M. emarginata, M. glabra, and M. punicifolia L.

            Malpighia glabra contains M. punicifolia as a synonym. Malpighia glabra is a shrub characterized as follows (edited from HUX): Leaves to 10 cm, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, cuneate at the base. Flowers red or rose (or pink), the calyx with 8 glands, the styles nearly equal in length. Cultivar ‘Fairchild’ having weeping habit, small leaves, and pink flowers.

            Malpighia emarginata is a shrub or small tree to 18’ tall. It has leaves to 15 cm long in cultivation (though often smaller), the blades ovate or elliptic or obovate, the base cuneate to rounded, the apex often emarginate; flowers pink or purple, the calyx with 6 glands, two of the styles longer than the third. The name M. punicifolia is sometimes applied incorrectly to this species (HUX, WU1).

Landscape uses: These species are valued for their colorful small flowers and edible fruits resembling cherries. They range in size, depending on the species and cultivar, from small trees to low shrubs. Small specimens of M. glabra are used in bonsai, sometimes under the name “M. punicifolia.”