Malpighia

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves usually bearing (0–)2–4[–10] glands impressed in abaxial surface of blade; stipules interpetiolar, mostly distinct. Inflorescences axillary, dense corymbs or umbels. Pedicels raised on peduncles. Flowers all chasmogamous, 6+ mm diam., showy with visible petals, stamens, and styles; calyx glands 6(–10) (3 sepals each bearing 2 large glands, others very rarely bearing 1–4 smaller glands); corollas bilaterally symmetric, petals pink, lavender, or white, glabrous [glabrate]; stamens 10, all fertile; anthers subequal or 2 opposite posterior-lateral petals larger; pistil 3-carpellate, carpels completely [rarely proximally] connate in ovary; styles 3, cylindric, stout; stigmas on internal angle or subterminal, large. Fruits drupes [berries or very rarely breaking into separate pyrenes], red [sometimes orange]; pyrenes 3, connate in center or distinct at maturity but then usually retained in common exocarp, walls hard, bearing rudimentary dorsal and lateral wings and sometimes rudimentary intermediate winglets or dissected outgrowths. x = 10.

Distribution

Tex., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (1 in the flora).

Malpighia coccigera Linnaeus, dwarf- or Singapore-holly, native to the West Indies, is grown as an ornamental. Malpighia emarginata, acerola or Barbados cherry, native to Mexico and Central America, is widely cultivated for its fruits, which are rich in vitamin C.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Malpighia glabra