Psidium cattleianum GREEN - guava melon (Forest honeycomb)

The species is native to Brazil and Uruguay where it grows in coastal forests. The

Botanical Information

The botanical name of the genus derives from the Greek “psidion” = pomegranate, due to the similarity of the fruits. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, erect, 2-8 m tall, with smooth reddish brown bark. The leaves are opposite, obovate, rather leathery, shiny dark green above, light below, the young shoots are bronze in colour. Hermaphroditic flowers generally solitary in the axils of the leaves, with 4-5 white obovate petals. The fruits are globose or obovoid berries, green in colour, shiny, with whitish pulp surrounding the juicy central part in which numerous flat and hard seeds are immersed. The pleasant, rather acidic flavour, recalls that of strawberries.

Pedoclimatic needs

It prefers full sun exposure, but tolerates light shade. It adapts to all types of soil as long as it is soft and without stagnation. Species cultivable in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climate zones, in the winter it cannot tolerate temperatures below +4°/+6°C. For this reason it is recommended to keep the plant sheltered during the coldest periods to ensure its survival. It can also be grown in the ground in Mediterranean gardens, where temperatures do not fall below zero. The fruit rich in fibre, potassium and vitamin C is eaten fresh or used to prepare jams, ice creams and drinks.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Psidium cattleianum cv. Green fruit

Family: Myrtaceae