PlantaeIUCN LCIn Progress Recent Sighting
Psidium guajava
Guava / Apple Guava
L., 1753
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
Psidium guajava is a small to medium-sized evergreen or semi-deciduous fruit tree, widely recognized for its hard wood and nutritious fruits. It reaches heights of 3 to 10 meters (10-33 feet), with a characteristic trunk featuring smooth, thin, copper-brown bark that peels off in papery scales, revealing a greenish inner layer. Its branches are quadrangular when young, with opposite, elliptical leaves that have very prominent veins on the underside. The flowers are white and fragrant, with numerous prominent stamens giving them a feathery appearance. The fruit is a globose or pyriform berry, with skin ranging from green to bright yellow when ripe. Its pulp can be white, pink, or red, filled with numerous small, hard seeds, and possesses a pungent, sweet aroma. It is a pioneer species that defines rural landscapes and forest edges throughout the Neotropics.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
Taxonomy
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderMyrtales
FamilyMyrtaceae
GenusPsidium
Taxonomic AuthorityL., 1753
Ecology & Status
Origin
Native
Population Trend
Stable
Growth Habit
--
Leaf Type
--
Flowering Season
Year Round
Recent Sightings
Yes
Habitat Summary Multi-lang
It is a highly adaptable species that thrives in a variety of tropical and subtropical climates, from sea level up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) in altitude. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils, although it tolerates temporary flooding and moderate droughts. It is commonly found in pastures, roadsides, secondary forests, and home gardens. In Costa Rica, it is distributed throughout the country, being particularly abundant in the rural areas of the Central Plateau and the Pacific and Caribbean plains.Light & Water Needs Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!Behaviour Multi-lang
It is a fundamental species for seed dispersal in secondary forests. Its fruits are consumed by a vast diversity of fauna, from bats and birds to livestock and terrestrial mammals. When ingested, the hard seeds pass through the digestive tract without damage, facilitating long-distance dispersal (endozoochory). It is a pioneer plant that rapidly colonizes degraded lands, preparing the soil for the succession of mature forest species.Toxicity / Uses Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!Physical Measures
Length (cm)
300.0 - 1000.0 cm
Reproductive Structures
Flower Photos (Max 2)
No imageFruit Photos (Max 2)
No imageEvolutionary Adaptations Multi-lang
Anti-epiphytic Exfoliating Bark: The ability to continuously shed its smooth bark is not just aesthetic; it is an adaptation to prevent parasitic or epiphytic plants (such as mosses or bromeliads) from establishing themselves on its trunk, keeping the surface clean and reducing pest load.
Aggressive Root System and Resprouting: It has a shallow but extensive root system that allows it to capture nutrients quickly. Furthermore, it has a high capacity to resprout from the base or roots if the main trunk is cut, making it very resistant to grazing and fire.
Main Threats Multi-lang
Fruit flies (Anastrepha spp.): The main biological threat is fruit fly larvae that infest the fruits, drastically reducing seed viability and food quality for wildlife and humans.
Interesting Facts Multi-lang
Wood for Tools: Due to its fine grain and extreme hardness, guava wood is traditionally used in Costa Rica to manufacture handles for manual tools, such as axes and mallets, being highly prized for its impact resistance.