Brazilian guava (Psidium guineense, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 77 (1788))

Family: Myrtaceae

Author: Sw.

Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 77 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Psidium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

The Brazilian guava, scientifically known as Psidium guineense, is a captivating and versatile plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family. First documented in 1788 with its authoritative classification by Sw., this tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree has made its mark across various regions, extending from Mexico to the heart of Tropical America.

Renowned for its hardiness, the Brazilian guava thrives in a range of environments within its native geographic stretch. This adaptability is one of the reasons for its widespread cultivation and naturalization in different tropical ecosystems. The plant typically features evergreen foliage and can be identified by its smooth-barked stems and elliptical to ovate leaves, which exude a fresh, slightly spicy aroma when crushed.

Bearing clusters of small, white flowers, Psidium guineense is most celebrated for its fruit: the Brazilian guava. These guavas are usually round to pear-shaped, with a yellowish-green skin that encloses a juicy, aromatic pulp. The flavor profile ranges from sweet to slightly tangy, making the fruit a favorite for both fresh consumption and culinary uses such as jams, jellies, and desserts.

Beyond its culinary appeal, the Brazilian guava holds a place in traditional medicine among various indigenous communities. The fruit, along with other parts of the plant such as leaves and bark, are often used in herbal remedies to treat ailments like diarrhea, inflammation, and respiratory issues. Its versatility extends to horticultural pursuits as well, where it is valued not only for its fruit but also for its potential as an ornamental plant, thanks to its attractive foliage and resilience.

In summary, Psidium guineense is not only a botanical curiosity with a rich history dating back centuries in botanical literature but also a practical and cherished component of both natural and cultivated landscapes in tropical regions. Its broad uses in food, medicine, and horticulture underscore the significance of the Brazilian guava in the diverse tapestry of tropical flora.

Common Names

Afr: brasiliaanse koejawel
Eng: brazilian guava, guinea guava
Deu: stachelbeerguave
Spa: araçá-amarelo, guayaba ágria, guayabo sabanero
Por: araçá-azedo, araçá-da-praia, araçá-mirim, goiabinha
Fra: goyavier du brésil
En: Brazilian guava, Guinea guava, Guisaro guava, Güisaro, Sour guirao, Wild guava, Willd guava
Af: Brasiliaanse koejawel
Zh: 巴西芭樂
Fi: Brasilianguava
Fr: Goyavier du Brésil, Guayavier du Brésil, Goyavier de Guinée, Goyavier acide
De: Stachelbeerguave
Ko: 기니아구아바
Fa: گواوا برزیلی
Pt: Araçá-azedo, Araçá-da-praia, Araçá-mirim, Goiabinha, Araçá-do-campo, Araçá do campo, Araca, Araca do campo, Araca mirim
Es: Guayaba ágria, Araçá-amarelo, Guayabo Sabanero, Guayaba de Guinea, Dionda, Guayabilla, Araca del Brasil, Arrayan, Guayaba acida, Guayaba agria, Guayaba de sabana, Guayaba del Brazil, Guayaba hedionda, Guayabito aseyjan

Synonyms

• Psidium albidum (Cambess.)
• Psidium molle var. gracile (O.Berg)
• Psidium minus (Mart. ex DC.)
• Guajava guineensis ((Sw.) Kuntze)
• Guajava multiflora ((Cambess.) Kuntze)
• Psidium jollyanum (A.Chev.)
• Guajava benthamiana ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Psidium rotundifolium (Standl.)
• Guajava hians ((Mart. ex DC.) Kuntze)
• Psidium polycarpon (Lamb.)
• Psidium schippii (Standl.)
• Psidium cordillerense (Barb.Rodr.)
• Mosiera guineensis ((Sw.) Bisse)
• Campomanesia tomentosa (Kunth)
• Psidium glandulosum (Barb.Rodr.)
• Psidium monticola var. robustum (O.Berg)
• Psidium ooideum (O.Berg)
• Psidium lehmannii (Diels)
• Psidium tomasense (Barb.Rodr.)
• Psidium macrophyllum (Barb.Rodr.)
• Psidium ooideum var. grandifolium (O.Berg)
• Psidium ooideum var. longipedunculatum (Rusby)
• Psidium dichotomum (Weinm.)
• Psidium hians var. truncatum (O.Berg)
• Psidium molle var. robustum (O.Berg)
• Campomanesia multiflora ((Cambess.) O.Berg)
• Guajava ooidea ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Guajava ypanemensis ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Psidium ypanemense (O.Berg)
• Eugenia hauthalii ((Kuntze) K.Schum.)
• Psidium hians (Mart. ex DC.)
• Guajava polycarpa ((Lamb.) Kuntze)
• Guajava mollis ((Bertol.) Kuntze)
• Psidium benthamianum (O.Berg)
• Guajava albida ((Cambess.) Kuntze)
• Guajava costaricensis ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Psidium schiedeanum (O.Berg)
• Psidium araca (Raddi)
• Myrtus hauthalii (Kuntze)
• Psidium rufinervum (Barb.Rodr.)
• Myrtus guineensis ((Sw.) Kuntze)
• Psidium multiflorum (Cambess.)
• Psidium ooideum var. intermedium (O.Berg)
• Psidium monticola var. gracile (O.Berg)
• Guajava schiedeana ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Psidium ooideum var. parvifolium (O.Berg)
• Psidium sericiflorum (Benth.)
• Guajava laurifolia ((O.Berg) Kuntze)
• Psidium atiraense (Barb.Rodr.)
• Psidium hians var. cuneatum (O.Berg)
• Psidium costaricense (O.Berg)
• Psidium molle (Bertol.)
• Psidium monticola (O.Berg)
• Psidium laurifolium (O.Berg)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Elizabeth Fazakerley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2022 by Odenir Bonemann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Elizabeth Fazakerley (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Sasso Michael (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 28, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5420509)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:211886-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Psidium guineense Sw.)

Specifications

Growth