Ugni molinae
Common name
Chilean guava
Family
Myrtaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial. Thrives in low shrubland and fernland on peaty soils on the Chathams.
Features
Aromatic bushy shrub, 1-2 m high, often suckering profusely. Shoots often reddish when young, later deep brown, densely clothed in short hairs at first. Small ovate leaves shining green with reddish margins. Small pale pink flowers hang down singly or in small clusters. The globular fruit are obviously stalked and reach 14 mm diameter, becoming dark purplish red when ripe, the flesh is white and sweet.
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Similar taxa
Could be confused with native shrubs, especially those in the Myrtaceae (e.g. Neomyrtus and Lophomyrtus). Pendant flowers and fruit are distinctive.
Flowering
November, December, January, February, March, April.
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Life cycle
Perennial
Propagation technique
Reproduces from fruit. Many seeds contained in each fruit. Viability unknown. Bird dispersed fruits
Year naturalised
1959
Origin
Chile
Reason for introduction
Horticultural
Tolerances
Tolerates wet soils with high acidity, tolerant of cold temps and frosts, re-sprouts after damage (incl fire).
Myrtle Rust
This taxon is confimed to be prone to Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii), an invasive fungus which threatens native myrtle species. Learn more myrtlerust.org.nz