Barbados Cherry

In the middle of the 20th century, researchers discovered that the juice from the Barbados cherry fruit, also known as acerola, was high in Vitamin C. In fact, studies reported that the fruit contained from 32 to 65 times the Vitamin C that exists in orange juice.

Scientists found that the fruit also had significant antioxidant properties, scoring highest in a comparative study.

Acerola Juice

There are companies now which market acerola juice. At least one vodka company uses the juice as a flavor (and presumably a vitamin) additive, and some candy companies have used it for flavoring as well.

The ripened fruit is edible: a slightly acidic taste gives way to a very sweet one. The fruit does lose its flavor after several hours of being picked. The fruit does have a large pit or seed at its center. Because of the small amount of pulp on each seed and the loss of flavor, Barbados cherry should be used as an ornamental, not for the production of fruit.

Landscaping with Barbados Cherry

Almost unknown fifty years ago, Barbados cherry has become increasingly popular in landscaping. It grows as a rounded shrub as high as six feet tall. The width of the plant is generally about two-thirds of its height, although trimmed properly, it will grow more upright and less mounded.

It works as a stand-alone plant, an accent plant and as a dense hedge which can be used as a screen. It also does well as a tall ground cover or a potted plant. Bonsai enthusiasts love the plant for its shape and growth habits.

The fruit is small, smaller than even the wild cherry. In fact, Barbados cherry is not a cherry.

True cherries are in the genus Prunus, while the Barbados cherry is from the genus Malpighia.

Growing Needs of Barbados Cherry

Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra) does well in a variety of soils, from sandy and sandy loam to clay and grows best in sun to partial shade and dry soil conditions. A pH of 6.5 is ideal for the plant.

Although Barbados cherry has been rated for zones 9 through 11, it will withstand several days of temperatures below 28F. In cooler zones, it will probably lose its leaves in winter. Prolonged cold can kill or damage the plant.

Although it is called Barbados cherry, it is native to much of the Caribbean, Central America, southern Texas and Florida.

The plant has a long blooming season – from March through December in warmer zones. The fruit ripens in late summer.

Barbados Cherry a Wildlife Food Source

Birds and mammals eat the fruit and deer will browse the fruit and foliage. Nectar insects also frequent the pink flowers.

Barbados cherry is a sole larval host to the Brown-banded Skipper (Timochares ruptifasciata) and White-patched Skipper (Chiomara georgina); it is also one of the few larval hosts for the Florida Duskywing (Ephyriades brunnea), and Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius).

Barbados cherry seeds have a very low germination rate. However, growers have been very successful with rooting of cuttings. Since new growth comes on in summer, that is the best time to take cuttings from Barbados cherry. The cuttings root easily.

Lady Bird Johnson Willdflower Center

Urban Harvest