Psidium cattleianum aka Purple Strawberry Guava

Taxonomy

Genus Psidium Family Myrtaceae Order Myrtales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Psidium cattleyanum, also known as Cattley guava, strawberry guava, or cherry guava, is a small tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family. The species is named in honor of English horticulturist William Cattley. The red-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. cattleyanum, is commonly referred to as purple guava, red cattley guava, red strawberry guava, or red cherry guava. The yellow-fruited variety, P. cattleyanum var. littorale, is known as yellow cattley guava, yellow strawberry guava, yellow cherry guava, lemon guava, and waiawī in Hawaii. While P. cattleyanum has select economic uses, it is considered the most invasive plant in Hawaii, where it forms dense, solid stands in moist areas. The cattley guava is believed to be native to the lowlands of eastern Brazil, particularly near the coast. It is cultivated to a limited extent in other areas of South America and Central America, the West Indies, Bermuda, the Bahamas, southern and central Florida, and southern California. The plant is used more as an ornamental hedge than as a fruit tree. It is occasionally grown in subtropical Africa, the highlands of the Philippines at elevations up to 5,000 ft (1,500 m), India, Ceylon, and Malaya. It was introduced into Singapore in 1877 but failed to survive at low altitudes. In Norfolk Island, it is one of the major "weed trees," and in Jamaica, it has escaped into pastures and woods at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 ft (457-914 m). As a houseplant, the strawberry guava is super rare and requires regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be positioned less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Purple Strawberry Guava, Cherry Guava, Strawberry Guava

How to care for Purple Strawberry Guava

Difficulty

Purple Strawberry Guava requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Purple Strawberry Guava should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Purple Strawberry Guava requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Purple Strawberry Guava will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Purple Strawberry Guava to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Region of origin

Purple Strawberry Guava’s native range is Southern S. America - Uruguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Psidium Genus

Psidium Guavas

Psidium friedrichsthalianum Costa Rican Guava

Psidium cattleianum Purple Strawberry Guava

Psidium guineense Brazilian Guava

Psidium eugenii Purple Forest Guava