One of the hardiest of the guavas, and said to be a native of Brazil. The date of its introduction to Hawaii is not recorded, and as Hillebrand makes no mention of it, it is probably of recent importation. A shrubby tree 15 to 20 feet high. Leaves opposite, obovate, small, leathery, dark-green, shiny. Flowers white, fragrant. Fruit spherical, about one inch in diameter, purple-reddish when ripe, soft, juicy pulp, which has an agreeable flavor, and containing many small seeds. This fruit is used for making jams and jellies, and bears a crop more or less during all the months of the year.
Plate LXI.—Strawberry Guava.
One half natural size.
G. P. W. Collection. [Plate LXII]
Psidium Cattleyanum.
(var. lucidum.)
This low-growing shrub is occasionally cultivated in these Islands. It has opposite obovate leaves, and fragrant white flowers. The round fruit, which has a sweet, yellow pulp, is larger than the strawberry guava, and has a more delicate flavor.