Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets Malpighia emarginata - Barbados Cherry
Edible portion: Fruit
A small tree up to 5 m tall. Branches are brittle and easily broken. The leaves are dark green and shiny. They are long and have small hairs. These hairs can irritate the skin. Flowers are on short stalks and are pink to white with five petals. Flowers are mostly on old growth. Fruit are round and cherry like. They have 3 lobes. They are usually bright red and with a thin skin. They are 1.7 cm across.
A tropical plant. It is native to C and S America. It has poor cold tolerance but can withstand temperatures to near freezing. It can tolerate drought. It can grow with rainfalls around 1,200-1,600 mm per year. Roots are shallow so plants cannot withstand wind. It needs a sunny position for good fruit production. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.