Psidium guajava (Guava, Lemon Guava, Yellow Guava)

Psidium guajava (Guava, Lemon Guava, Yellow Guava) is a tropical fruit tree and plant species belonging to the Myrtaceae family and is native to Central America and northern South America. Guava is widely cultivated for its sweet and flavorful fruits.  

Appearance: Psidium guajava is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall. It has a spreading canopy with smooth, thin, copper-colored bark. The leaves are oval-shaped, glossy green, and measure 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimeters) in length.

Fruit: The fruit of Psidium guajava is round to oval in shape, with a smooth or slightly rough skin that can range in color from green to yellow when ripe. The flesh is typically white, pink, or yellow, depending on the variety, and contains numerous small seeds embedded in the pulp. Guava fruit has a sweet and aromatic flavor, often described as a combination of pear, strawberry, and citrus notes.

Flowers: Guava trees produce small, white, fragrant flowers with five petals. The flowers are borne singly or in clusters in the leaf axils.

Cultural Uses: Guava fruit is widely consumed fresh or processed into various products such as juices, jams, jellies, and desserts. It is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, making it a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. In addition to its culinary uses, guava leaves are also used in traditional herbal medicine for their medicinal properties.

Cultivation: Psidium guajava thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with warm temperatures and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Guava trees are relatively low-maintenance and can be grown from seeds or propagated vegetatively through cuttings or air layering.