GUAVA

Guava (Psidium Guajava) is a genus of about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It is native in Mexico, as well Central America, Northern America and parts of the Carribeanbut not cultivated throughout the tropics. In Tagalog , name bayabas are probably local renditions of guayaba. Numerous references in medical research identify guava as Psidium Guajava. Guavas (singular guava, /ˈɡwɑː.və/)[3] are plants in the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium, which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, subtropical regions of North America, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.

Contents

1 Types 2 Common names 3 Ecology 3.1 Fruit 3.2 Range 4 Culinary uses 5 Nutritional value 6 Potential medical uses 7 Selected species 7.1 Formerly placed here 8 See also 9 Footnotes 10 References 11 External links

Types
Apple Guava (Psidium guajava) flower

The most frequently eaten species, and the one often simply referred to as "the guava", is the Apple Guava (Psidium guajava).[citation needed]. Guavas are typical Myrtoideae, with tough dark leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate and 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous stamens.

The genera Accara and Feijoa (= Acca, Pineapple Guava) were formerly included in Psidium.[citation needed]
Common names

The term "guava" appears to derive from Arawak guayabo "guava tree", via the Spanish guayaba. It has been adapted in many European and Asian languages, having a similar form.

Another term for guavas is pera, derived from pear. It is common around the western Indian Ocean and probably derives from