Malpighia linearis
Jacq.
Narrowleaf malpighia
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(c) greensxm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by greensxm
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(c) Alfred Neubert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alfred Neubert
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(c) Jean Meunier, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jean Meunier
Description
A tree. A shrub. It grows 2 m tall. The branches are smooth. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and they have stinging hairs. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. The flowers are pale purple to pink. The fruit is fleshy and oval. It is dark purple and furrowed when ripe.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Known Hazards
The lower surface of the leaf bears fine irritant hairs.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests.
Where It Grows
Antilles, Asia, Barbuda, Cuba, Indonesia, Puerto Rica, SE Asia, Virgin Islands, West Indies*,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Propagation
Seed - Cuttings - cuttings of half-ripe wood, with entire leaves, in a frame with bottom heat.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Ceri barbados, Ceri-cerian, Narrow-leafed barbados cherry
References (4)
- Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 397 (As Malpighia angustifolia)
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 510
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 669
