Guava tree

Description:

Guava, Psidium guajava, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Myrtaceae grown for its edible fruits. Guava has a slender trunk with smooth green to red-brown bark. The trunk may be branched at the base and the branches droop low to the ground. The plant possesses oval or elliptical leaves which are smooth on the upper surface and hairy on the lower surface. Guava produces solitary white flowers and a berry fruit. The fruit is oval in shape and green to yellow in color. The flesh inside can be white, yellow, pink or red in color and contains numerous yellowish seeds. Guava can reach grow to 10 m (33 ft) in height and lives for approximately 40 years. Guava may also be referred to as common guava and its origin is unknown although it grows native in parts of tropical America.

Habitat:

Guavas (singular guava, /ˈɡwɑː.və/) are common tropical fruits cultivated and enjoyed in many tropical and subtropical regions. Psidium guajava(common guava, lemon guava) is a small tree in the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

Notes:

Dispersal: Seeds mainly distributed by cattle as well as other mammals such as feral pigs, monkeys and rats. Birds also disperse the seeds in some areas. Fruit are sometimes dispersed by flowing water. Plants can regrow from stumps and buds along roots. Introduced by humans for use as a fruit tree. Reproduction: Plants begin to fruit after 2 to 4 years. The plant produces hermaphroditic white flowers, 1.5 cm diameter. Flowers found singly or in cymes of 2 or 3 flowers. The flowers are pollinated by many insects, especially honeybees (Apis mellifera). The fruit is 5 cm in length and contains many seeds of size 3 to 5 mm. The Psidium guajava tree has been known to produce up to 2000 fruit a year, but normally produce around 450. The plant flowers and fruits all year round. Herbivores: Goats and sheep graze on leaves. A variety of insects feed on the plant, including fruit flies, whose larvae are often found within the fruit. Resistant stages: Seeds remain viable for up to a year, but usually for several months. After cutting the tree it coppices and spreads by suckering. Habitat: Native habitat: Tropical areas with over 1000mm of rainfall. Habitat occupied in invaded range: Forests, grassland, riparian zones, especially disturbed areas.