Psidium cattleyanum
Common name
purple guava
Family
Myrtaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Features
Large shrub or tree to 6 m high. Trunk smooth, pale brown. Leaves smooth, oval to 4-5 cm long. Round fruit to 2 cm diameter becoming dark purple or sometimes yellow. edible.
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Similar taxa
P. cattleyanum can be distinguished from P. guajava by its glabrous leaves and the absence of prominent veins on either leaf surface.
Flowering
January, February, March
Flower colours
White
Fruiting
June-August
Life cycle
Perennial. Reproduces from seed. Pig/bird dispersed (Cronk and Fuller).
Threats
This taxon may be prone to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is an invasive fungus which threatens myrtle species - learn more myrtlerust.org.nz
Year naturalised
1977
Origin
S Brazil
Reason for introduction
Agricultural
Tolerances
Shade tolerant (Cronk and Fuller).