Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata)

The Barbados Cherry, also known as West Indian Cherry or Acerola, is a tropical fruiting shrub or small tree.  It is native to the Lesser Antilles and tropical or sub-tropical regions of Central and South America. Barbados Cherry fruit is bright read in color and is LOADED with Vitamin C - 134% of your daily need to be exact.  It's cultivated for the production of juice in some parts of the world, especially Brazil, much like oranges are cultivated in Florida.  Mature plants can handle light frosts and will survive slight periods of drought. Barbados Cherry trees are fairly easy to grow and care for and will fruit with little effort.