Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Mexico, West Indies |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub, able to grow up to about 5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves, obovate to obovate-oblong in shape, measuring about 2 - 7 cm long and 1 -3 cm wide, petiole measuring about 0.2 - 0.4 cm long. |
| Flowers | Pink flowers, in sessile or subsessile corymb or umbel inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a red drupe, ovoid to subglobose in shape, measuring about 1 - 1.5 cm wide. |
| Etymology | Genus Malpighia is named after Marcello Malpighi (1628 - 1694) who was an Italian professor at Pisa. Species punicifolia means having pomegranate-like leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 913 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2207 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
