Malpighia emarginata

The Acerola is a shrub-like plant which is believed to have originated in southern Mexico and the Caribbean,It thrives here in India as well. It blooms in delicate clusters of small, pretty pink flowers that go on to produce delicious, tart cherry-like berries.

The berries have been used in modern and folk medicine. Its traditional uses were in treatment of liver ailments, coughs, colds, diarrhea and dysentery. The Acerola Cherry is considered to have one of the very highest concentrations of vitamin C that can be found in any natural food, up to 65 times that of an Orange! It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3, as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which provide important nutritive value and have antioxidant uses.

These Berries aren’t actually very easy to harvest here in Tamilnadu, as the birds simply love going for them! And if the birds don’t get them, then children will! In any case, they are available, and clearly enjoyable too!

They make a very fine tasting juice, and salads can provide a whole new element of flavor.Our local ice cream parlor here in auroville, even makes ice cream out of the fresh fruits!

Right now, after the monsoon, the shrubs have begun flowering. Given sufficient moisture, they will produce plentiful fruits at the beginning of summer.