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Psidium cattleianum
Tree profile

Psidium cattleianum

Strawberry guava, Brazilian guava, Cattley guava, cherry guava, Chinese strawberry

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Description

Strawberry guava is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 1 - 12 meters tall. The crooked bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter.
BARK: smooth, grey to reddish-brown, peels readily, and slender branches.
LEAVES: dark green, opposite, oval to elliptical, up to 4.5 cm (1.75 in) long, smooth and leathery to waxy, with prominent veins.
FLOWERS: fragrant white flowers are tubular with 5 petals, and are larger than the leaves, to 6 cm (2.3 in) wide, and are either solitary or in clusters of 3 at the axils (where leaf meets stem).
FRUIT: globous to obovoid berry, 1.5-4 cm in diameter, bearing persistent sepals at the apex. The thin skin is dark green when unripe and ripens to a color ranging from yellow to dark red or purple.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, fruit can be used in jellies, jams, custards, drinks etc., fruit can also be used in preserves, and flowers are used as a garnish. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Psidium+cattleianum
Medicine: roots. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Psidium+cattleianum
An ornamental tree.
Agroforestry: can be planted as a hedge.
Provides wood which is used for lathe work, tool handles and for objects that require much resistance.
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.
The wood is a source of poles.

Ecology

Strawberry guava is native to eastern Brazil and now cultivated in tropical and semi-tropical areas worldwide for its fruit and as an ornamental. It is found mainly in lowland coastal forests and prefers the more open areas in moist soils. It thrives in a large range of ecological conditions and reproduces efficiently by seeds and suckers. In Kampala, strawberry guava can be found within Makerere university, Kitante courts along Phillip road among other places.

Management

Slow growing. Except for young seedlings, hand pulling is not feasible due to the strong root system and the presence of suckers.

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