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Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava)

Climate

It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions with moderate to high humidity. It prefers warm and moist climates with a sufficient amount of rainfall. It can be found at varying altitudes, but it generally prefers lower to mid-range elevations.

Common Name

Strawberry guava

Description

Psidium cattleianum, also known as strawberry guava, is a compact evergreen shrub native to the Brazilian lowlands. It produces small round fruits that are deep wine-red in color, with a juicy texture and a flavor reminiscent of strawberries. It is hardier to frost than other guava varieties but less tolerant of drought and flooding.

Genus
Grouping
Fruits
Latin Name

Psidium cattleianum

Origin

Brazil

Other Relevant Information

Plant Origin: Psidium cattleianum, commonly known as strawberry guava, is believed to be native to the Brazilian lowlands. Fruit Description: The fruit of strawberry guava is small, round, and deep wine-red in color (a yellow variety is also available). They have a thin skin and a juicy flesh that has a texture and flavor similar to a strawberry. The yellow variety is larger in size, about 3 cm in diameter, and has a creamier and nicer flavor. Nutritional Composition: Per 100 grams of edible portion, strawberry guava contains approximately: Water - 81.8%, Energy - 65 calories, Carbohydrate - 15.8 g, Fat - 0.6 g, Protein - 1.0 g, Ash - 0.8 g, Calcium - 23 mg, Potassium - 289 mg, Sodium - 4 mg, Iron - 0.9 mg, Phosphorous - 42 mg, Chlorine - 155 mg, Sulphur - 105 mg, Silicon - 30 mg, Vitamin A - 90 IU, Thiamin - 0.03 mg, Riboflavin - 0.03 mg, Niacin - 0.6 mg, Ascorbic acid - 37 mg. The digestion time is approximately 3 hours. Plant Hardiness: Strawberry guava is hardier to frost than P. guajava (to -5°C), but it is less tolerant of drought and flooding. Related Species: P. littorale is a closely related species, but it has differently shaped fruit and leaves that are narrower towards the base.

Related Genus
Soil Preferences

Well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

Specific species
Uses
Suitability to cool temperate climate

A compact, evergreen shrub, growing to a height of 3 - 6 m. It is believed to be native to the Brazilian lowlands. The fruit are small (about 2 cm diameter) and round, deep wine - red in colour (also a yellow variety available) with a thin skin. The flesh is juicy and has a texture and flavour similar to a strawberry. The yellow variety is larger fruited (about 3 cm diameter) and a creamier and nicer flavour.

Nutritional composition of the strawberry guava per 100 grams of edible portion is: Water -81.8%, Energy - 65 calories, Carbohydrate - 15.8 g, Fat - 0.6 g, Protein - 1.0 g, Ash - 0.8 g, Calcium - 23 mg, Potassium - 289 mg, Sodium - 4 mg, Iron - 0.9 mg, Phosphorous - 42 mg, Chlorine - 155 mg, Sulphur - 105 mg, Silicon - 30 mg, Vitamin A - 90.U., Thiamin - 0.03 mg, Riboflavin - 0.03 mg, Niacin - 0.6 mg, Ascorbic acid - 37 mgs and the digestion time is 3 hours.

The strawberry guava is hardier to frost than P. guajava (to - 5°C), but is less tolerant of drought and flooding. P. littorale is a very closely related species, but has a different shaped fruit and leaves which are narrower towards the base.