Malpighia glabra is a large shrub or small tree, typically reaching up to 20 feet in height, but usually shorter. It grows on a short trunk, which can be multi-stemmed or single, and has spreading, drooping branches and a rounded canopy (1, 2). The plant has dark green, evergreen leaves measuring ¾ to 3 inches in length and ½ to 1½ wide. Young leaves and petioles have tiny stinging hairs that cause skin irritation (3).

It bears 3-5 perfect flowers in axillary inflorescences (2). The delicate flowers, which are pale to deep pink, have 5 clawed petals and 10 stamens (1, 2). The red fruit is a drupe, 1-3 centimeters in diameter, with three slight lobes and three seeds (2, 3). The fruit is said to have 50 to 100 times more vitamin C than oranges (4).

M. glabra is native to the Americas, extending from south Texas in the United States, through Mexico and Central America into South America; it also is native to Caribbean islands (5). It was likely domesticated before the arrival of Columbus to the Americas (5).
It was probably first introduced to Florida in 1887, where it was grown as a
novelty plant and minor crop for many years (3). The plant became very popular
after World War II due to the fruit’s high vitamin C content; interest, however, dropped with the advent of synthetic vitamin C (3). There has been considerable confusion regarding to the taxonomy of M. glabra, with some distinguishing between a cultivated variety, which has variously been named M. punicifolia and M. emarginata, and a wild variety, which has been called M. glabra (3, 5). According to other sources, however, the wild and cultivated varieties both belong to M. glabra (2). Thus, the specimens at Bioshpere 2, which are labeled M. glabra, may actually be M. emarginata. A number of cultivars have been introduced into the trade, including ‘Florida Sweet,’ which has sweeter fruit and high yields; ‘B-17,’
which has larger fruit; and ‘Manoa sweet,’ which has sweet orange-red fruit and
is very productive (1, 6).

Although M. glabra originated in the tropics, it is drought resistant and can survive brief cold exposure down to 28 °F (1, 3, 5). The plant can be produced from seed, but cuttings are
preferred to maintain variety type (1). Trees can begin to produce fruit after
two years, and flowers and fruit are often present on trees at the same time (1, 5, 6).
It will produce fruit with little care, but for higher fruit yield it should be
watered regularly and fertilized twice a year (1, 3). At highest production, a
single tree can produce 30 to 60 pounds of fruit a year (2, 6). When
harvesting the fruit, gloves and long sleeves should be worn to avoid
skin irritation from tiny stinging hairs (3). The plant
prefers well-drained soils with a pH of about 6-7.5 and does not like to be
waterlogged (1, 6). M. glabra has shallow roots, so, to avoid being blown over, it should not be planted in areas with high winds (6). Trees tolerate pruning well and can be trimmed into a hedge or small shrub (2, 6). Pollination is typically done by bees (3, 5, 6). The pest most commonly reported with the plant are nematodes (1, 2, 6). For those with less room, M. glabra can also be grown in pots (6).

The fruit of M. glabra is eaten fresh or made into jams, jellies, syrups and sauces (3). The juice of the fruit will prevent browning of other fruits like bananas or apples (3). The fruit also has medicinal uses and may help to alleviate liver ailments and digestive problems (3). The wood is strong and heavy and can be used for various utensils (2). The bark is high in tannins and has been used to tan leather (3).