Compilation
Psidium pyriferum

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Name

Identification
Psidium pyriferum L. [family MYRTACEAE ]
Related name
  • Psidium pyriferum

Flora

Entry for PSIDIUM guajava L. [family MYRTACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, (2001) Author: B Verdcourt, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Names
PSIDIUM guajava L. [family MYRTACEAE], Sp. Pl. 1: 470 (1753); Popenoe, Man. Trop. Fruits: 272, fig. 35 (1920); U.O.P.Z.: 423, fig. (p. 425) (1949); T.T.C.L.: 379 (1949); Dale, Introd. Trees Uganda: 62 (1953); Jex-Blake, Gard. E. Afr. ed. 4: 300 (1957); F.F.N.R.: 303 (1962); Amshoff in Fl. Gabon 11: 6 (1966); Boutique, F.C.B., Myrtaceae: 31 (1968); Amshoff in C.F.A. 4: 94 (1970); F. White in F.Z. 4: 185 (1978); Morton, Fruits Warm Climates: 356, t. L (1987); Thulin & G. Moggi in Fl. Somalia 1: 244 (1993); Friis in Fl. Eth. 2 (2): 72, fig. 72.2 (1996). Type: “India”; Herb. Clifford: 184, Psidium No. 1 (BM!, lecto., chosen by McVaugh, 1989)
PSIDIUM pyriferum L. [family MYRTACEAE], Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 672 (1762). Type as for P. guajava
Information
Small tree to 12 m tall; bark pale brown or copper-coloured, thin, smooth, flaking off to reveal greenish layer beneath. Leaves elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 7–15 cm long, 3–5(–7) cm wide, rounded or acute at the apex, rounded at the base, densely pubescent beneath; lateral nerves 12–20 pairs, parallel, prominent beneath. Flowers axillary, solitary or in small clusters; calyx completely enclosing the young bud; lobes 9 mm long, 5 mm wide, reflexed in open flower, whitish tomentellous inside. Petals white, oblong-elliptic, 1.3 cm long, 8 mm wide. Stamens ± 250, ± 1 cm long. Style ± 1 cm long, slightly capitate at the apex. Fruit light yellow with a pink or crimson blush, globose, ovoid or pyriform, 5–10 cm long with granular flesh, juicy central white or red pulp and numerous very hard seeds 3 mm long.
Range
DISTR. U 4; K 4; T 3, 4 widely grown throughout East Africa and has become wild in various places in Tanzania especially down the coast and near habitations. Originally a native of South America, now widely planted throughout the tropics and subtropics
Altitude range
1–1200 m
Distribution
UGANDA Mengo District Kyempisi, Misindye, Tanner 6034!KENYA Machakos District Kilungu Location, Kithembe Hill, Kalondu Farm, 14 Mar. 1982, Mwangangi 2234!TANZANIA Lushoto District Amani, Plantation 2, 1 July 1929, Greenway 1632!, 1633! & Kungumi, 27 Mar. 1971, Shabani 674! & Chakechake Village, 14 Apr. 1969, Ngoundai 283!TANZANIA Buha District Kasulu, 20 Oct. 1954, Kasele 6014!
Notes
Eaten raw and cooked, also made into jam and jelly etc. There are numerous cultivars.

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