Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
tro
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 426 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001076476
Common Names
- Malpighia Urens
- Urens Malpighia
- Urens
Description
Malpighia urens (also called 'Barbados Cherry', among many other common names) is a small shrub native to Central and South America. It has small, oval leaves and white flowers. It typically grows in moist, sandy soils and is found in open woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands.
Uses & Benefits
Malpighia urens is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a medicinal plant to treat fever, headache, and stomachache.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Malpighia urens sub. ovatifolia (Nied.) F.K.Mey.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Malpighia urens has white flowers with five petals, each about 1 cm long. The seeds are small, brown, and round, and the seedlings are about 5 cm tall and have small, oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Malpighia urens is a shrub or small tree that can reach up to 8 m in height. It is native to the Caribbean and Central America. It can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to 10°C (50°F). It is a fast-growing plant and can be pruned to maintain its shape.
Where to Find Malpighia urens
Malpighia urens can be found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.
Species in the Malpighia genus
Malpighia romeroana,
Malpighia verruculosa,
Malpighia emarginata,
Malpighia glabra,
Malpighia coccigera,
Malpighia leticiana,
Malpighia galeottiana,
Malpighia mexicana,
Malpighia tomentosa,
Malpighia fucata,
Malpighia infestissima,
Malpighia linearis,
Malpighia setosa,
Malpighia woodburyana,
Malpighia albiflora,
Malpighia oxycocca,
Malpighia urens,
Malpighia lundellii,
Malpighia stevensii,
Malpighia ovata,
Malpighia cubensis,
Malpighia sessilifolia,
Malpighia souzae,
Malpighia wrightiana,
Malpighia wendtii,
Malpighia davilae,
Malpighia diversifolia,
Malpighia nummulariifolia,
Malpighia watsonii,
Malpighia cauliflora,
Malpighia obtusifolia,
Malpighia incana,
Malpighia martinicensis,
Malpighia harrisii,
Malpighia adamsii,
Malpighia megacantha,
Malpighia macracantha,
Malpighia cnide,
Malpighia velutina,
Malpighia aquifolia,
Malpighia polytricha,
Malpighia pusillifolia,
Malpighia proctorii,
Malpighia micropetala,
Malpighia acunana,
Malpighia spathulifolia,
Malpighia macrocarpa,
Malpighia nayaritensis,
Malpighia emiliae,
Malpighia wilburiorum,
Species in the Malpighiaceae family
Acmanthera cowanii,
Acmanthera duckei,
Acmanthera fernandesii,
Acmanthera latifolia,
Acmanthera longifolia,
Acmanthera minima,
Acmanthera parviflora,
Acridocarpus adenophorus,
Acridocarpus alopecurus,
Acridocarpus alternifolius,
Acridocarpus austrocaledonicus,
Acridocarpus ballyi,
Acridocarpus camerunensis,
Acridocarpus chevalieri,
Acridocarpus chloropterus,
Acridocarpus congestus,
Acridocarpus congolensis,
Acridocarpus excelsus,
Acridocarpus glaucescens,
Acridocarpus hirundo,
Acridocarpus humbertii,
Acridocarpus humblotii,
Acridocarpus katangensis,
Acridocarpus ledermannii,
Acridocarpus longifolius,
Acridocarpus macrocalyx,
Acridocarpus mayumbensis,
Acridocarpus monodii,
Acridocarpus natalitius,
Acridocarpus oppositifolius,
Acridocarpus orientalis,
Acridocarpus pauciglandulosus,
Acridocarpus perrieri,
Acridocarpus plagiopterus,
Acridocarpus prasinus,
Acridocarpus scheffleri,
Acridocarpus smeathmannii,
Acridocarpus socotranus,
Acridocarpus spectabilis,
Acridocarpus staudtii,
Acridocarpus ugandensis,
Acridocarpus vanderystii,
Acridocarpus vivy,
Acridocarpus zanzibaricus,
Adelphia hiraea,
Adelphia macrophylla,
Adelphia mirabilis,
Adelphia platyrachis,
Aenigmatanthera doniana,
Aenigmatanthera lasiandra,