Acerola

Appearance

Acerola is an evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading branches on a short trunk. It is usually 2–3 m tall, but sometimes reaches 6 m in height.

Distribution

''Malpighia emarginata'' is originally from Yucatán, and can be found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America as far south as Peru, and the southeast region of Brazil, and in the southernmost parts of the contiguous United States. In Florida, it can be grown in protected locations as far north as Cape Canaveral. It is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics throughout the world, including the Canary Islands, Ghana, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, India, Java, Hawaii, and Australia.

Habitat

''Malpighia emarginata'' is a host plant for the caterpillars of the white-patched skipper, Florida duskywing, and brown-banded skipper. Larvae of the acerola weevil feed on the fruits, while adults consume young leaves. Pollination by wild insects is known to increase the fruit yield.

Uses

Acerola is a popular bonsai subject because of its small leaf and fruit, and fine ramification. It is also grown as an ornamental and for hedges.

It is one of three ingredients in a proprietary herbal medicine for allergic rhinitis.