Psidium guajava L.
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Authority
Popenoe, Wilson. 1924. Economic fruit-bearing plants of Ecuador. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 24: i-ix, 101-134. pl. 34-49.
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Family
Myrtaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - The common guava is an arborescent shrub or small tree, sometimes growing to 9 meters. The young branchlets are quadrangular, and the leaves oblong-elliptic to oval, 7.5 to 15 cm. long, finely pubescent beneath, with the venation conspicuously impressed on the upper surface. The white flowers, about 2.5 cm. broad, are solitary or several together upon a slender axillary peduncle. The fruit is round, ovoid, or pyriform, 2-5 to 10 cm. long, commonly yellow, with flesh varying from white to deep pink or salmon red. Numerous small hard seeds are embedded in the flesh toward the center of the fruit. The flavor is sweet, musky, and very distinctive.
Uses - The fruit is eaten out of hand, or used to prepare various sorts of jellies and preserves.
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Common Names
guayaba, guava