This blog is for gardeners above, beyond, and below the surface. For those interested in botanical names, inventories, collection and else.

Not recommended for gardeners depending only on nurseries for the practice.

Monday, May 21, 2012

TWO MALPIGHIAS

MALPIGHIA is a genus of 25 to 40 shrubs and tree species found from the southwestern United States to Peru, some cultivated for their edible fruits (acerola, M. glabra Linnaeus, for example) and some as ornamentals.

The two Malpighias featured are not common at all in the urban context. I have seen them rarely in  Puerto Rico, country side or the dominant concrete/asphalt.  You may have your own criteria to determine rarity, uniqueness. Mine is simple.

The story is short. The fruit of Malpighia glabra is  tangy, nice looking fruit, almost fire engine red.  Most people brag about the amount of vitamin C and many cliches they hear and repeat through their life as if it is a big deal.

Never mind about that. I think it is attractive with dropping branches and small leaves.  This shrub belongs to the less than ten plants club, in the over 100 collection, bought in a nursery.

The other, Malpighia coccigera, is an exchange. I noticed it two houses down, in Blondie's front yard.  I talked to Myrta, a nice lady and maid. The deal was done with a Gardenia.  Besides this house in restoration almost as long as the Gaudi cathedral, to become a bed and breakfast,  I have seen it just 
once after that, in Ponce de Leon avenue.  

that is that











2 comments:

  1. Too bad you (and I) don't own nurseries, to sell the overlooked but often superior species. Anything that needs less care and irrigation, but looks better than many plants that do, should be used more than those that are higher-maintenance. Just sayin'!

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  2. I could have a nursery, as long as I do not have to deal with people or take care of profits/books and such.

    I never focus on that, a defect, I am too old to resolve.

    On the other hand, since most of the plants here are ecoregion
    friendly, little watering or problems with pests are also part
    of the picture.

    Thanks for the visit.

    ReplyDelete