strawberry guava
(Psidium cattleianum)
Overview
- Appearance
- Psidium cattleianum is an evergreen tree/shrub. Trees can grow from 30-40 ft. (9.1-12.2 m) tall and have reddish, flaky bark.
- Foliage
- Leaves are opposite, oblong, glossy, entire and up to 3 in. (7.6 cm) long.
- Flowers
- Flowering occurs year-round. Flowers are white, 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide, with 4-5 petals and many stamens. Flowers can occur singly, or in groups of three, in the axils of the leaves.
- Fruit
- Fruits are dark red, edible and golf ball-sized.
- Ecological Threat
- Psidium cattleianum tends to form dense, monotypic stands which prevent regrowth of native species, and is very difficult to eradicate. As an invasive species, it is sometimes erroneously called Chinese guava.
Resources
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. For more information, visit Invasive.org
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass: Rosidae |
| Order: Myrtales |
| Family: Myrtaceae |
| Genus: Psidium |
| Subject: Psidium cattleyanum Sabine |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
cattley guava, cherry guava, Chinese guava, kuahpa, purple guava, purple strawberry guava