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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, grafting
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
vulnerable
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
low (600 ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub, tree
Height
:
4 m-7 m
Spread
:
3 m-6 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
white
Size
:
2 cm - 4 cm
Period
:
April - May
Smell
:
scented, strong,
fruit, fruity
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
berry
Fruit size
:
3 cm - 10 cm
Toxicity
:
produced for
food, edible
From tropical America, this tender shrub has spread to all warm climates in the world. In favou-
rable conditions, it may grow to a specimen tree of 7 metres in height. Veined, evergreen leaves
are arranged oppositely on four-angled twigs. The emerging foliage is reddish to protect it from
intense sun. When the reddish elderly bark peels off, it exposes light-grey bark beneath. A com-
mon tropical feature is flowers and fruit found on the tree at the same time. In Arriyadh, where
the tree is often found in cultivation on farms, the white flowers appear mainly in spring, measu-
ring about 2 to 3 cm across. Guaves are self-fertile, so that one plant does not need a neighbour
for fertilisation. The fruits vary considerably in size, shape, colour and taste: they are between 5
and 10 cm in diameter, round or elongated, grey, white or pink, with more or less taste, either
sweet or insipid. They turn ripe in autumn or early winter, emitting an intense pleasant scent.
Guave fruits can be eaten fresh or processed to make juice and jam. Cultivars usually contain
plenty of seeds within the pulp, but a few varieties are almost seedless. They germinate readily so
that plants sometimes naturalise where conditions are met. In humid, warm regions, they may
become weedy. Guave trees do well in full sun, but resent strong winds and reflected heat. Young
plants are tender to cold, but mature trees tolerate brief, light frosts. Any well-drained soil is wel-
comed, either acidic or alkaline, but a high level of humus is appreciated.
250
Psidium guajava,
Myrtaceae
Guava,
Guave