Malpighia emarginata is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae.

Malpighia emarginata is originally from Yucatán, and can be found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America as far south as Peru and Colombia,[7] and the southeast region of Brazil, and in the southernmost parts of the contiguous United States (southern Florida[8] and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas).

[11] 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.

It prefers dry, well-drained, sandy soil and full sun, and cannot endure temperatures lower than −1 °C (30 °F).

Furthermore, a sufficient water supply is advantageous for good growth and maximum yields of large fruits.

[18] The bark of young branches is green and sparsely covered with curly-haired trichomes, which fall off with age.

3–4 weeks after flowering,[5] a number of bright red drupes 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) in diameter with a mass of 3–5 g (0.11–0.18 oz) mature.

They are divided into three obscure lobes and are usually acidic to subacidic, giving them a sour taste,[22] but may be sweet if grown well.

[27] Larvae of the acerola weevil (Anthonomus macromalus  [d]) feed on the fruits, while adults consume young leaves.

Acerola fruit provides an exceptional content of vitamin C at some 20 times the Daily Value (DV) in a 100 grams (3.5 ounces) reference amount (table).

[32] Acerola is a popular bonsai subject because of its small leaf and fruit, and fine ramification.