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2009-05-01T04:05:46Z

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Envoy at 18:13, 8 November 2007

2007-11-08T18:13:53Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Acerola
| image = Malpighia glabra.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Malpighiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Malpighia]]''
| species = '''''M. glabra'''''
| binomial = ''Malpighia glabra''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''Acerola''' (''Malpighia glabra''), also known as '''Barbados cherry''' or '''wild crapemyrtle''', is a tropical [[fruit]]-bearing [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] in the family [[Malpighiaceae]], native to the [[West Indies]] and northern [[South America]] and also cultivated in [[India]]. It grows to 3 m tall, with a dense, [[Spine (biology)|thorny]] crown. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], simple ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, with an entire margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in umbels of 2-5 together, each flower 1-1.5 cm diameter, with five pink or red petals.

The [[fruit]] is bright red, 1.5-2 cm diameter, containing 2-3 hard [[seed]]s. It is juicy, often as much sour as sweet in flavor, and very high in [[vitamin C]] and other [[nutrient]]s.

===Cultivation and uses===
The fruit is edible and widely consumed in the species' native area, and is cultivated elsewhere for its high vitamin C content.

In the [[1950s]], a manufacturer of baby food decided that [[apple juice]] was milder for infants than [[orange juice]]. The company claimed that a drop of acerola juice in an 8 oz. can of apple juice provided the amount of [[vitamin C]] of an equal amount of orange juice. {{Fact|date=April 2007}}

In [[Puerto Rico]], the acerola is so prized that custom officials exercise considerable precaution to prevent exporting of acerola cuttings.

==External links==
*[http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG041 University of Florida: Acerola]
*[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-acerola.html Columbia Encyclopedia entry on Acerola]

[[Category:Malpighiaceae]]
[[Category:fruit]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Taxobox
+__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
-| color = lightgreen
+| name = ''Malpighia punicifolia''
-| name = Acerola
+| common_names = Acerola, Barbados Cherry, West Indian Cherry, Cereza, Cerisier, Semeruco
 | image = Malpighia glabra.jpg
-| image_width = 240px
+| image_width = 240px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
-| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
+| image_caption =     <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
-| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
+| regnum = Plantae
-| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
+| divisio = Magnoliophyta
-| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
+| classis = Magnoliopsida
-| familia = [[Malpighiaceae]]
+| ordo = Malpighiales
-| genus = ''[[Malpighia]]''
+| familia = Malpighiaceae
-| species = '''''M. glabra'''''
+| genus = Malpighia
-| binomial = ''Malpighia glabra''
+| species = glabra
-| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
+| subspecies =
 }}
-'''Acerola''' (''Malpighia glabra''), also known as '''Barbados cherry''' or '''wild crapemyrtle''', is a tropical [[fruit]]-bearing [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] in the family [[Malpighiaceae]], native to the [[West Indies]] and northern [[South America]] and also cultivated in [[India]]. It grows to 3 m tall, with a dense, [[Spine (biology)|thorny]] crown. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], simple ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, with an entire margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in umbels of 2-5 together, each flower 1-1.5 cm diameter, with five pink or red petals.
+'''Growth Habit''': Large, relatively fast growing bushy shrub or small tree (to 15 feet). Can be pruned to any desired shape, but grows best as a managed shrub. Multiple or single trunks which can be trained. Occasionally, bushes appear to be composed of canes. Branches are brittle, and easily broken. Leaves may be irritating to some people. The root system is shallow, and trees can be toppled by wind, but they can be uprighted and recover over time
-The [[fruit]] is bright red, 1.5-2 cm diameter, containing 2-3 hard [[seed]]s. It is juicy, often as much sour as sweet in flavor, and very high in [[vitamin C]] and other [[nutrient]]s.
+'''Foliage''': Acerola leaves are dark to light green, glossy when mature, obviate to lanceolate, with minute hairs which can be irritating. Foliage will drop during water stress, but recovers well with flush and flowering.
-===Cultivation and uses===
+'''Flowers''': The flowers are sessile or on short-peduncled cymes, with small pink to white flowers with five petals. Up to 90% of flowers fall from tree, but "Blossom Set" can be used to counter this effect. Flowering can occur throughout the year, but is typically in cycles associated with rain. Irrigation can be used to induce flowering. Flowering occurs primarily on old growth. Pollination rarely observed, but thought to be by the solitary bee, Centris. Honeybees do not appear effective (contested). Cross-pollination may or may not be required depending on variety or strain (contested). In available cultivars, fruit does set without obvious pollinators or need for cross-pollination.
-In the [[1950s]], a manufacturer of baby food decided that [[apple juice]] was milder for infants than [[orange juice]]. The company claimed that a drop of acerola juice in an 8 oz. can of apple juice provided the amount of [[vitamin C]] of an equal amount of orange juice. {{Fact|date=April 2007}}
+'''Fruit''': Fruits are round to oblate, cherry-like but with 3 lobes. They are bright red (rarely yellow-orange) with thin skin, easily bruised. The pulp is juicy, acid to sub-acid occasionally nearly sweet, with a delicate flavor and apple notes. The fruit is very high in Vitamin C, up to 4,000 mg per 100 g fresh weight, but typically around 1,500 mg C. Green fruits have twice the Vitamin C level of mature fruits. Fruits develop to maturity in less than 25 days. Seeds typically three with fluted wings, forming a triangle. Many aspects of seed viability have not been studied.
-In [[Puerto Rico]], the acerola is so prized that custom officials exercise considerable precaution to prevent exporting of acerola cuttings.
+==Cultivation==
 ==External links==
-*[http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_MG041 University of Florida: Acerola]
+*{{wplink}}
-*[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-acerola.html Columbia Encyclopedia entry on Acerola]
-[[Category:Malpighiaceae]]
+<!--  in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions!    -->

Acerola - Revision history

Raffi: crfg

Envoy at 18:13, 8 November 2007