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Guava
Psidium guajava
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An evergreen small tree native to tropical America. In Okinawa, it is called 'banshiru' and has become naturalized and commonly seen. It produces white flowers and aromatic round fruits. The numerous stamens characteristic of the Myrtaceae family are prominent.
Identification Points
- βWhite flowers with numerous stamens spreading in a hemispherical form
- βLeaves are elliptical with prominent longitudinal veins and soft hairs on the underside
- βBark is smooth and peeling
Habitat
Okinawa and southern Kyushu (naturalized); cultivated throughout Japan
Season
MayβOctober (flowers and fruit)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf shape
Round
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Habitat
Cultivated
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Aromatic
Aromatic
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionγγγ’γ’η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Myrtales > Myrtaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (approx. 80β70 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Myrtaceae is characterized by numerous stamens and inferior ovaries. Many species, including Eucalyptus and Syzygium, produce essential oils, with aromatic compounds emanating from oil glands in the leaves.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification