Editing Psidium cattleianum

'''Strawberry guava''' ('''''Psidium cattleianum'''''; also strawberry guava; cattley guava; cherry guava) is a Myrtaceae fruit plant grown for its berry.

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 400px; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Psidium cattleianum fruit.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Psidium cattleianum fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | Strawberry guava (''Psidium cattleianum '')
|-
! Scientific name
|| ''Psidium cattleianum''
|-
! Genus
|| [[Psidium]]
|-
! Family
|| [[Myrtaceae]]
|-
! Order
|| [[Myrtales]]
|-
! Fruit type
|| Berry
|-
! Growth form
|| Evergreen shrub or small tree
|-
! Climate and hardiness
|| Subtropical to tropical; more cold-tolerant than common guava
|-
! Mature height
|| 2–8 m
|-
! Mature width
|| 2–6 m
|-
! Soil
|| Adaptable and well-drained; tolerates acid soils and some poorer ground
|-
! Water
|| Moderate moisture; drought-tolerant once established
|-
! Sun
|| Full sun to light shade
|-
! Germination
|| 2–8 weeks from seed; seedlings vary
|-
! Years to fruit
|| 2–4 years from seed
|-
! Pollination
|| Self-fertile; insects improve fruit set
|-
! Harvest
|| Seasonal in subtropics, often extended or repeated in the tropics
|}

== Identification and description ==
Strawberry guava is a compact Psidium with glossy leaves and small red or yellow fruits carrying a strong berry-like aroma. It is useful in small gardens but can naturalize aggressively in some humid regions.

The accepted genus, family, and order are [[Psidium]], [[Myrtaceae]], and [[Myrtales]]. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

== Growing ==
Strawberry guava is a forest-edge shrub from eastern South America that tolerates humid and subtropical conditions. It fruits in sun or light shade, handles pruning well, and can become invasive where climate and birds favor naturalization.

Native habitats range from coastal and forest-edge areas to subtropical vegetation. The plant tolerates more cold and drought than common guava, but fruit quality and vigor improve with sun, moisture, and fertile soil. Control suckers and volunteer seedlings where the species is invasive.

=== Soil ===
Adaptable and well-drained; tolerates acid soils and some poorer ground.

=== Sun and humidity ===
Full sun to light shade. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.

=== Seasonal changes ===
Flowering often follows a warm flush or renewed rain. In subtropical climates the main crop develops during warm months; in equatorial conditions several crops may occur. Reduce water only during cool weather and never let containers stay saturated.

== Propagation ==
Seed is easy and produces productive plants, though fruit may vary. Cuttings and air-layers can preserve selected plants; grafting is less commonly needed because the species fruits young.

[[File:Starr-050406-0241-Psidium cattleianum-habitat-Awalau-Maui (24625577082).jpg|thumb|right|280px|Field view or fruit detail of Psidium cattleianum. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==
Seasonal in subtropics, often extended or repeated in the tropics. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.

== Fruit and uses ==
Eat ripe berries fresh or use them for juice, jelly, jam, syrups, and desserts. The aromatic skin is edible. Harvest promptly because fully ripe fruit softens quickly.


== Commentary ==
Growers are invited to share observations about Strawberry guava on the [[Talk:Psidium cattleianum|talk page]], especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.


== Photos ==

The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.

== Sources ==
* [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Psidium+cattleianum Useful Tropical Plants: Psidium cattleianum]



== Image credits ==

* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psidium_cattleianum_fruit.jpg Psidium cattleianum fruit.jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr-050406-0241-Psidium_cattleianum-habitat-Awalau-Maui_(24625577082).jpg Starr-050406-0241-Psidium cattleianum-habitat-Awalau-Maui (24625577082).jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.

[[Category:Fruits]]
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Psidium]]