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Cattley Guava (Psidium cattleyanum)

Psidium cattleianum is an evergreen, much-branched shrub to small tree. It is generally reported to be perennial.

LightIt grows in full sun to bright, light shade and also has relatively strong shade tolerance.
WaterIt is reported to prefer moist conditions and moist, well-drained soil, while tolerating some swampy or waterlogged conditions.
TemperatureFew-source reporting places the lower temperature at about -6 °C, the ideal range at about 22–28 °C, and the upper temperature at about 32 °C. Its hardiness is generally reported within a USDA zone range.
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Cattley Guava illustration

Overview

Psidium cattleianum is an evergreen, much-branched shrub to small tree. It is generally reported to be perennial.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range: it is native to South America and is mainly recorded from Brazil, while some accounts extend the native range to Uruguay and southern South America. It occurs in tropical rainforest, Atlantic rainforest, evergreen Araucaria forest, and coastal forest, favoring more open sites with moist soil; in introduced areas it can also enter disturbed and undisturbed habitats. It is adapted to humid tropical to subtropical climates, can grow across a range of elevations, and is reported to tolerate varied environmental conditions.

Characteristics

Sources differ, with a reported mature height of about 100–1200 cm. The leaves are elliptical to elliptic in shape. Sources differ in describing the flowers: they may be solitary, while other accounts describe small clusters; the flowers are borne on new shoots. It is reported to flower and fruit repeatedly through the year; the fruit has thin skin and can mature from yellow to dark red or purple, with a sweet, aromatic flavor.

Light

It grows in full sun to bright, light shade and also has relatively strong shade tolerance.

Watering

It is reported to prefer moist conditions and moist, well-drained soil, while tolerating some swampy or waterlogged conditions.

Temperature and dormancy

Few-source reporting places the lower temperature at about -6 °C, the ideal range at about 22–28 °C, and the upper temperature at about 32 °C. Its hardiness is generally reported within a USDA zone range.

Growing medium and mounting

It prefers well-drained sandy loam containing leaf humus, can adapt to varied soil conditions, and favors a mildly acidic soil reaction while tolerating a broader range.

Propagation

It can be propagated from seed, semi-ripe cuttings, and layering, and can also naturally form root suckers. Fresh seed can be sown in a partially shaded seedbed and is reported to germinate after a period of time.

Common problems

It is reported to provide habitat or a host environment for fruit flies, potentially increasing agricultural harm. In suitable tropical and subtropical environments it can form dense thickets, shade other plants, and spread rapidly through seeds, birds, feral pigs, and root suckers, creating a substantial invasive risk. Tender new shoots are reported to be vulnerable to severe cold damage, while dormant plants can tolerate colder conditions briefly; suitable daytime temperatures are considerably higher.

Identification

Compared with other Psidium species, Psidium cattleianum can be distinguished by lanceolate bracts, solitary flowers, and a calyx that is closed in bud and splits irregularly when the flower opens; it can also produce root suckers and develop dense thickets.

Sources