| Malphigia glabra | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Malpighiaceae |
| Genus: | Malpighia |
| Species: | M.
glabra |
| Binomial name | |
| Malpighia glabra L., 1753 |
|
| Synonyms | |
Malpighia glabra is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae. Common names include Acerola, Barbados Cherry, West Indian Cherry (all three names may also refer to M. emarginata)[2] and Wild Crapemyrtle.[3] The name for the plant in Vietnamese is sơ ri, which was derived from the word "cherry".
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M. glabra can be found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States,[4] Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Peru and Bahia in Brazil.[1] 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.[5]
Acerola is an evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading branches on a short trunk. It is usually 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) tall, but sometimes reaches 6 m (20 ft) in height.[6]
The leaves are simple ovate-lanceolate, 2–8 cm (0.79–3.1 in) long, 1–4 cm (0.39–1.6 in), and are attached to short petioles. They are opposite, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, and have entire or undulating margins. Top sides are dark green and glossy.[6]
Flowers are bisexual and 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) in diameter. They have five[6] pale to deep pink or red[7] fringed petals, ten stamens, and six to ten glands on the calyx. There are three to five flowers per inflorescence, which are sessile or short-peduncled axillary cymes.[6]
The fruit is a bright red drupe 1–3 cm (0.39–1.2 in) in diameter with a mass of 3–5 g (0.11–0.18 oz). Drupes are in pairs or groups of three, and each contains three triangular seeds. The drupes are juicy and very high in vitamin C and other nutrients. They are divided into three obscure lobes and are usually acid to subacid, giving them a sour taste,[6] but may be sweet if grown well.[8]
The fruit is edible and widely consumed in the species' native area, and is cultivated elsewhere for its high vitamin C content. There is 1677.6 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of fruit.[2]
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. A detailed nutrition facts analysis shows Acerola juice does contain 32 times the amount of vitamin C in orange juice (over 3000% as much), supporting the claim.[9]
A comparative analysis of antioxidant potency among a variety of frozen juice pulps was carried out, and included the acerola fruit. Among the eleven fruits' pulps tested, acerola was the highest scoring domestic fruit, meaning it had the most anti-oxidant potency, with a TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity) score of 53.2 mmol g.[10]
Cultivars have been developed to improve growth of the plant, disease resistance, and the size and flavor of the fruits. Sweet cultivars include 'Manoa Sweet', 'Tropical Ruby', and 'Hawaiian Queen', while 'J.H. Beaumont', 'C.F. Rehnborn', 'F. Haley', 'Red Jumbo', and 'Maunawili' are sour cultivars. The cultivars 'A-1', 'B-15', and 'B-17' are recommended for Puerto Rico, while 'B-17' and 'Florida Sweet' are recommended for Florida.[11]
Absolut Vodka released Absolut Los Angeles, a limited-edition spirit flavored with acerola, Açai, pomegranate, and blueberry, in July of 2008.[12]
Acerola flavour is also used in Tic Tac dragées.
In Vietnam, the most famous variety is from Gò Công district, Tiền Giang province.
For many years, Acerola has been a popular bonsai subject because of its smal leaf, fruit and fine ramification. The best acerola bonsai have been cultivated in Taiwan, where it has become a very common plant in bonsai circles, particularly in Yunlin County, Chung Hwa, Tainan and Kaohsiung. It has also been cultivated as a bonsai, with great success, in Indonesia. It is also grown as an ornamental[13] and for hedges.[5]
Media related to Malpighia
glabra at Wikimedia Commons
Information related to Malpighia
glabra from Wikispecies.| Acerol | ||||||||||||||
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| File:Malpighia | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Malpighia glabra L.[1] |
Acerola (Malpighia glabra) or Acerolla, also known as Barbados cherry or wild crapemyrtle, is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae.
Contents |
It ranges from southern Texas south through Mexico and the Caribbean to Peru and Bahia in Brazil. It is also cultivated in India.
It grows to 3 m tall, with a dense, thorny crown. The leaves are evergreen, simple ovate-lanceolate, 5-10 cm long, with an entire margin. The flowers 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 seeds. It is juicy, often as much sour as sweet in flavor, and very high in vitamin C and other nutrients.
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. A detailed nutrition facts analysis shows Acerola juice does contain 32 times the amount of vitamin C in orange juice (over 3000% as much), supporting the claim.[2]
A comparative analysis of antioxidant potency among a variety of frozen juice pulps was carried out, and included the acerola fruit. Among the eleven fruits' pulps tested, acerola was the highest scoring domestic fruit, meaning it had the most anti-oxidant potency, with a TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity) score of 53.2 mmol g.[3]
In Puerto Rico, the acerola is so prized that custom officials exercise considerable precaution to prevent exporting of acerola cuttings.[citation needed]
In July 2008, Absolut Vodka announced its second product in a limited-edition series, Absolut Los Angeles, with acerola used as one of a combination of four flavors for the spirit. Açai, pomegranate and blueberry are also used. [4]
Acerola flavour is also used in Tic Tac dragées.
For many years, Acerola has been a popular bonsai subject. The best acerola bonsai have been cultivated in Taiwan, where it has become a very common plant in bonsai circles.[citation needed]
   | Columbia Encyclopedia entry on Acerola - acerola - FREE acerola information | Encyclopedia.com: Facts, pictures, information! |
| | Malpighia glabra information from NPGS/GRIN - Malpighia glabra information from NPGS/GRIN |
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