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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Guava
| image = Psidium guajava.jpg
| image_width = 1px
| image_caption = Apple Guava ''Psidium guajava'' <br/>fruit and leaves
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Myrtales]]
| familia = [[Myrtaceae]]
| genus = '''''Psidium'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
About 100 species, see text.
}}
'''Guava''' (from [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]], '''Guayaba''') is a genus of about 100 species of [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s in the myrtle family [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, 5-15 cm long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. ''Psidium'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Eupseudosoma|Eupseudosoma aberrans]]'', [[Eupseudosoma|Snowy Eupseudosoma]] and ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe icasia]]''.
[[Image:Psidium cattleianum.jpg|left|thumb|Strawberry Guava ''Psidium cattleianum'']]
The [[fruit]] is edible, round to [[pear]]-shaped, from 3-10 cm in diameter (to 12 cm in some selected [[cultivar]]s). It has a thin delicate rind, pale green to yellow at maturity in some species, pink to red in others, a creamy white or orange-salmon flesh with many small hard seeds, and a strong, characteristic aroma. It is rich in vitamins [[vitamin A|A]], [[vitamin B|B]], and [[vitamin C|C]] (a guava fruit contains more vitamin C than a typical citrus fruit – the rind contains over five times more vitamin C than an orange). It also contains high amounts of calcium – which is unusual in a fruit.
===Cultivation and uses===
Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for their edible fruit. Several species are grown commercially; those listed below are the most important. The fruit is commonly eaten whole, but is often prepared in a variety of ways as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved [[plum|prune]] powder or salt. Boiled guava is also extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades (''[[goiabada]]''), and juices. In Asia, a tea is made from guava fruits and leaves. In [[Egypt]], guava [[juice]] is popular.
The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the seeds and the middle of the guava. The guava flesh is sweet (the middle part with the seeds is sweetest), and the rind is slightly bitter tasting.
Guava leaves are used for medicinal purposes, as a remedy for [[diarrhea]][http://www.icddrb.org:8080/images/jhpn222_healthcare-use.pdf], and for their supposed antimicrobial properties. The same anti-diarrheal substances which are useful in folk medicine may also cause constipation in the case of consumption of large amounts of guava fruits. In [[Cuba]] their leaves are also used in barbecues providing a nice smoked flavor and scent to the meat. In recent studies, Guava is believed to have sugar lowering properties to help diabetics lower their sugar count. While testing is not fully conclusive, results have been promising as a natural means to help diabetics combat high sugar.
Mature trees are not frost-sensitive and can survive as low as 5°C for short periods of time, but younger plants will not survive. They are known to survive in Northern Pakistan where they can get down to 5°C or lower during the night. In several tropical regions, including [[Hawaii]], some species have become [[invasive species|invasive weed]] shrubs. Guava are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas, being one of the very few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots indoors.
Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, constituting a substitute for tomatoes, especially for those who suffer from the latter's acidity.
'''Selected species'''
*''[[Psidium australe]]'' [[Cambess.]]
*''[[Psidium cattleianum]]'' - Strawberry Guava, Peruvian Guava.
*''[[Psidium cinereum]]'' [[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]
*''[[Psidium friedrichsthalium]]'' - Costa Rica Guava, Cas Guava
*''[[Psidium galapageium]]'' Galápagos Guava
*''[[Psidium guajava]]'' - Apple Guava
*''[[Psidium guineense]]'' - Guinea Guava
*''[[Psidium incanescens]]'' [[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]
*''[[Psidium littorale]]'' - Cattley Guava
*''[[Psidium montanum]]'' - Mountain Guava
<gallery>
Image:Ripe guava.jpg|Ripe guava fruit
Image:ARS_HPSI41.jpg|'Thai Maroon' guava
Image:Psidium guajava fruit.jpg|Green guava fruit
Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|Ripe Guava
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Feijoa]] (''Feijoa sellowiana'')
* [[List of fruits]]
==External links==
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava]
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts]
* [http://www.twowests.co.uk/weblog/archives/2006/10/guava_fruit.html Health Benefits of Guava Fruit]
[[Category:Crops originating from the Americas]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Invasive species]]
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Guava
| image = Psidium guajava.jpg
| image_width = 1px
| image_caption = Apple Guava ''Psidium guajava'' <br/>fruit and leaves
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Myrtales]]
| familia = [[Myrtaceae]]
| genus = '''''Psidium'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
About 100 species, see text.
}}
'''Guava''' (from [[Arawak]] via [[Spanish language|Spanish]], '''Guayaba''') is a genus of about 100 species of [[tropical]] [[shrub]]s and small [[tree]]s in the myrtle family [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, 5-15 cm long. The [[flower]]s are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. ''Psidium'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Eupseudosoma|Eupseudosoma aberrans]]'', [[Eupseudosoma|Snowy Eupseudosoma]] and ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe icasia]]''.
[[Image:Psidium cattleianum.jpg|left|thumb|Strawberry Guava ''Psidium cattleianum'']]
The [[fruit]] is edible, round to [[pear]]-shaped, from 3-10 cm in diameter (to 12 cm in some selected [[cultivar]]s). It has a thin delicate rind, pale green to yellow at maturity in some species, pink to red in others, a creamy white or orange-salmon flesh with many small hard seeds, and a strong, characteristic aroma. It is rich in vitamins [[vitamin A|A]], [[vitamin B|B]], and [[vitamin C|C]] (a guava fruit contains more vitamin C than a typical citrus fruit – the rind contains over five times more vitamin C than an orange). It also contains high amounts of calcium – which is unusual in a fruit.
===Cultivation and uses===
Guavas are cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for their edible fruit. Several species are grown commercially; those listed below are the most important. The fruit is commonly eaten whole, but is often prepared in a variety of ways as a dessert. In Asia, fresh raw guava is often dipped in preserved [[plum|prune]] powder or salt. Boiled guava is also extensively used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades (''[[goiabada]]''), and juices. In Asia, a tea is made from guava fruits and leaves. In [[Egypt]], guava [[juice]] is popular.
The whole fruit is edible, from seeds to rind, but many people choose to cut out the seeds and the middle of the guava. The guava flesh is sweet (the middle part with the seeds is sweetest), and the rind is slightly bitter tasting.
Guava leaves are used for medicinal purposes, as a remedy for [[diarrhea]][http://www.icddrb.org:8080/images/jhpn222_healthcare-use.pdf], and for their supposed antimicrobial properties. The same anti-diarrheal substances which are useful in folk medicine may also cause constipation in the case of consumption of large amounts of guava fruits. In [[Cuba]] their leaves are also used in barbecues providing a nice smoked flavor and scent to the meat. In recent studies, Guava is believed to have sugar lowering properties to help diabetics lower their sugar count. While testing is not fully conclusive, results have been promising as a natural means to help diabetics combat high sugar.
Mature trees are not frost-sensitive and can survive as low as 5°C for short periods of time, but younger plants will not survive. They are known to survive in Northern Pakistan where they can get down to 5°C or lower during the night. In several tropical regions, including [[Hawaii]], some species have become [[invasive species|invasive weed]] shrubs. Guava are also of interest to home growers in temperate areas, being one of the very few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots indoors.
Red guavas can be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, constituting a substitute for tomatoes, especially for those who suffer from the latter's acidity.
'''Selected species'''
*''[[Psidium australe]]'' [[Cambess.]]
*''[[Psidium cattleianum]]'' - Strawberry Guava, Peruvian Guava.
*''[[Psidium cinereum]]'' [[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]
*''[[Psidium friedrichsthalium]]'' - Costa Rica Guava, Cas Guava
*''[[Psidium galapageium]]'' Galápagos Guava
*''[[Psidium guajava]]'' - Apple Guava
*''[[Psidium guineense]]'' - Guinea Guava
*''[[Psidium incanescens]]'' [[Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius|Mart.]]
*''[[Psidium littorale]]'' - Cattley Guava
*''[[Psidium montanum]]'' - Mountain Guava
<gallery>
Image:Ripe guava.jpg|Ripe guava fruit
Image:ARS_HPSI41.jpg|'Thai Maroon' guava
Image:Psidium guajava fruit.jpg|Green guava fruit
Image:Guava_bangalore.jpg|Ripe Guava
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Feijoa]] (''Feijoa sellowiana'')
* [[List of fruits]]
==External links==
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/guava.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Guava]
* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Tropical Guava Fruit Facts]
* [http://www.twowests.co.uk/weblog/archives/2006/10/guava_fruit.html Health Benefits of Guava Fruit]
[[Category:Crops originating from the Americas]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Invasive species]]
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]