The guava tree, Psidium guajava, is a tropical species belonging to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes the eucalyptus and myrtle. Native to the Americas, this small tree is now cultivated extensively across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide for its distinctive and aromatic fruit. While its physical characteristics vary by environment and cultivar, its appearance is generally recognizable by specific structural and botanical details adapted to warm climates.
The Tree’s Overall Structure and Habit
The guava typically grows as a small tree or a large, multi-stemmed shrub, rarely exceeding 30 feet in height, with most cultivated varieties remaining between 10 and 20 feet tall. It is usually classified as a shallow-rooted, evergreen species, though it can be semi-deciduous in regions with cooler winter temperatures or pronounced dry seasons. The canopy is frequently broad, dense, and rounded, providing substantial shade.
The tree commonly exhibits a low-branching habit, contributing to its shrub-like appearance. Its trunk is relatively slender, sometimes growing in a slightly crooked or irregular manner. Younger stems are greenish and somewhat four-angled, or quadrangular.
Identifying Characteristics of Bark and Foliage
The bark of the guava tree is one of its most distinct features, characterized by its smooth, thin texture and mottled appearance. Ranging in color from a greenish hue to reddish-brown or copper, it peels off continuously in thin, irregular flakes or strips. This constant exfoliation reveals the younger, often greenish layer of bark underneath, creating a textured, patchy pattern on the trunk and older branches.
The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems. They are simple, typically oblong or oval in shape, and measure between 3 to 6 inches in length. The foliage is generally a dull, dark green color with a leathery texture, and the underside may be slightly downy or hairy, especially when young. A prominent central vein and 10 to 20 pairs of distinct lateral veins are deeply impressed on the upper surface of the leaf, giving it a noticeably wrinkled or quilted look.
The Appearance of Guava Flowers and Developing Fruit
Guava flowers are small, typically about one inch in diameter, and are borne either singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils of newly emerging lateral shoots. Each flower consists of four or five small, white petals that surround a dense, prominent tuft of numerous white stamens. This mass of stamens gives the bloom a fluffy, brush-like appearance.
The fruit develops from the inferior ovary, retaining the persistent calyx lobes at its apex. As it grows, the fruit can vary significantly in shape, ranging from perfectly round to ovoid or distinctly pear-shaped. The skin of the immature fruit is a solid green, often with a subtle, slightly bumpy or waxy texture. As the fruit approaches maturity, the skin color shifts, turning from green to shades of yellow or sometimes displaying a yellowish-orange flush.