Brazilian guava
Psidium guineense

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small shrub or tree. It grows 1-8 m high. The trunk is 2-10 cm across. It has an appearance like a strawberry guava tree. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are 8-10 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowering stalks have 1-3 flowers. The flower stalk is 1-1.5 cm long and large and hairy. The fruit are round or pear shaped but like common guava. They occur singly on new growth. They are 2-3 cm wide. The skin is yellow. The pulp is white and acidic. There are several seeds.

There are about 150 Psidium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in subtropical regions. It can tolerate some drought. In Bolivia it grows between 200-2,500 m altitude. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central Africa, Central America, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Marquesas, Martinique, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh but also used for jellies and preserves. They are also used baked or stewed.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or air-layering. It can also be grafted.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Araca de Brasil, Araca, Araca-goiaba, Araca morango, Bon peyara, Embul pera, Goiaba, Guabillo, Guavasteen, Guayaba Agria, Guayaba brava, Guayabillo, Guayabita, Guayabo, Guinea guava, Guisaro, Huayava, Libagoejuba, Lipela, Ocker-berry, Opela, Pohon jambu brazil, Sabanera

Synonyms

Campomanesia multiflora (Cambess.) O. Berg; Guajava benthamiana (O. Berg.) Kuntze; Guajava costaricensis (O. Berg.) Kuntze; Guajava guineensis (Sw.) Kuntze; Guajava laurifolia (O. Berg.) Kuntze; Guajava mollis (Bertol.) Kuntze; Guajava polycarpa (C.L. Anderson ex Lamb.) Kuntze; Psidium albidum Cambess.; Psidium araca Raddi; Psidium benthamianum O. Berg.; Psidium minus Mart.; Psidium molle Bertol.; Psidium schippii Standl.; Psidium sericiflorum Benth.; and others