Guava
Psidium guajava L.
Location
Civil New Block
Family
Myrtaceae
Common names
Guava, Seebe Hannu (Kannada), Amrood (Hindi)
Native range
Tropical America, probably ranging from southern Mexico to northern South America; now widespread in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Habitat
Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates from sea level up to 2,100 meters in altitude. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, including savannahs, grasslands, forest edges, agricultural lands, and disturbed areas.
Flowering
Year-round, depending on climate
Fruiting
Several cycles per year; fruits mature about 90–150 days after flowering
Conservation status
Not threatened; widely cultivated worldwide and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions
About this plant
Leaves are opposite, elliptic to oblong, green in colour, with translucent dots and fine pubescence on the underside. Flowers are white, axillary or terminal, usually solitary or borne in pairs. Fruits are round to oval, green to yellow when ripe, sweet to tangy in taste, and edible either fresh or processed.
Uses
Widely cultivated for its nutritious fruits, which are consumed fresh or processed into juices, jams, and desserts. The leaves and fruits are used in traditional medicine to treat digestive disorders, diabetes, and for their antimicrobial properties.
Growing conditions
Prefers full sunlight and tolerates a wide range of soils, from poor to fertile conditions. Requires moderate rainfall (1,000–2,000 mm annually) for optimal production. It is more drought-resistant than most tropical fruit trees but may be susceptible to fruit splitting during excessive rainfall
Habit
A fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing 3–10 meters tall, with many branches and often a crooked stem. The bark is smooth, light to reddish-brown, and peels off in thin flakes.