Psidium amplexicaule, which is commonly known as mountain guava, is a species in the family Myrtaceae[3] that is native to the Caribbean (Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Leeward Islands) and northeastern Brazil.[2] It is rarely found in a moist limestone forest at 100–600 feet elevation on the north coast of Puerto Rico.[4][5] This plant can also be found on islands such as St. Thomas and St. John in the United States Virgin Islands and in Tortola and Virgin Gorda of the British Virgin Islands.[6][7][8]
| Psidium amplexicaule | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Psidium |
| Species: | P. amplexicaule
|
| Binomial name | |
| Psidium amplexicaule | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description
editMountain guava is a wild relative of guayaba, commonly known as guava (Psidium guajava). It can be distinguished by opposite and nearly round thick and leathery leaves that are 1½ -2¾ inches in diameter. They are thick/leathery and almost stalkless. Smaller flowers are located at the ends or at the sides of the twigs that are about ½ inch across. Their round fruit is about ¾ inch in diameter, with calyx lobes at their apex. The mountain guava flower color is green and white and blooms in the spring and summertime. The plant is evergreen and can grow in height approximately 2.4 to 3.7 meters (8–12 ft) tall. It was denoted in 1976 as a small tree that is capable of growing to 20 feet tall.[8]
References
edit- ^ "IPNI Plant Name Details". Ipni.org. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
- ^ a b Psidium amplexicaule Pers. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Psidium amplexicaule Pers". USDA PLANTS. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ Sciences, New York Academy of (1930). Scientific Survey of Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Academy. p. 26. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ Liogier, A.H.; Martorell, L.F. (2000). Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic Synopsis. Ed. de la Univ. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-8477-0369-2. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ Britton, N.L. (1918). The Flora of the American Virgin Islands. Contributions from the New York Botanical Garden. New York Botanical Garden. p. 74. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ International, Rare Fruit Council (1993). Tropical Fruit News. The Council. p. 24. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ a b Little, E.L.; Woodbury, R.O.; Wadsworth, F.H.; Service, United States. Forest (1976). Flora of Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands). USDA Forest Service research paper ITF. Institute of Tropical Forestry. p. 26. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
External links
edit- "Mountain Guava - Psidium amplexicaule - Overview". Encyclopedia of Life. September 11, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2017.