Acerola Cherry or Barbados Cherry (both Malpighia emarginata and Malpighia glabra) are popular popular fruit trees for tropical and warm-temperate gardens. Malpighia is in the Acerola family (Malpighiaceae). In fact Malpighia glabra is the type species for both the genus and family. There are actually two closely related species known as the Acerola Cherry, though some people do not think they are fully distinct. Judging from the leaf shape the plant pictured might be Malpighia emarginata, which some sources say is the species with better tasting fruit. Both species are native parts of Mexico, central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. Malpighia glabra is also found natively in southern Texas.
At the moment, the leaf damage shown looks only incidental and not something to be overly concerned with, but the plant should be checked for pests. Doing this after dark with a flashlight is a good time as some insects only emerge at night.
