Guava is a plant of the myrtle household scientifically acknowledged as Myrtaceae. It is represented by the genus Psidium with 100 species of tropical shrubs and tiny trees identified. They are native to Mexico, Central The us, and northern South The us. They have now properly founded in the tropics and subtropics in Southeast Asia, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida and Africa. The most commonly encountered species of guava is the Apple guava range.
Guavas are common plants with rough and dim leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite on the stem and are elliptic, to ovate measuring 5-15 cm extensive. The flowers are white with 5 petals and many stamens. The genera Accara and Feijoa had been formerly integrated in the genus Psidium. They are most regularly utilized as foodstuff crops by larvae of quite a few lepidopteran insects. The bacterium Erwinia psidii leads to rot health conditions in Apple Guavas. The fruits are remarkably relished by humans, several mammals as effectively as by birds. The animals help in the dispersal of guava seeds to extensive distances alongside with their droppings. In some tropical locations such as the Hawaii quite a few kinds have turn into invasive species. Various species have also joined the group of exceptional species because of to habitat destruction. A single species significantly the Jamaican Guava has come to be fully extinct.
Guava wood is utilised for smoking meat in Hawaii. They are also used in the barbecue competitions in the United States. Cuba the leaves are also employed in barbecues, furnishing a smoked flavor and scent to the meat. They are cultivated in numerous tropical and subtropical countries for their edible and hugely healthy fruits. Various species are cultivated for commercial applications only. Apple Guava is offered as a extremely well-liked wide range on professional foundation all more than the environment. Mature trees of most species can tolerate colder temperatures up to 5°C but the young plants fall short to survive. They are also grown as ornamental plants in the temperate areas. The guava fruit is about 4-12 cm prolonged or spherical depending on the species. The outer skin is generally hard with a bitter or sweet flavor. When unripe the fruits are normally green but they come to be yellow, maroon or inexperienced when totally ripe. The fruits have a typical fragrance resembling like that of lemon rind but is a lot less sharp. The pulp may possibly be sweet or sour and white of pink in colour.
In Hawaii the fruit is eaten with soy sauce and vinegar. From time to time a pinch of sugar and black pepper is also additional along with soy sauce and vinegar to boost the flavor. In India and Pakistan the fruit is generally eaten raw or along with salt or pepper. Fruit is frequently used to make fruit salads. In Asia guava items are often dipped in prune powder right before ingesting. As the fruit consists of significant ranges of pectin they are made use of in creating candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades. They are at times involved in the category of superfruits as they are prosperous resources of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and the nutritional minerals, potassium, copper and manganese. They consist of 4 times much more vitamin C as that present in the oranges. They have the two Guavas include equally carotenoids and polyphenols. They are a section of folk medication considering that ancient occasions. The extracts acquired from Apple Guava are applied against cancer, bacterial bacterial infections, swelling and suffering. Essential oils acquired from guava also have some anticancer properties. Leaves are utilised to heal diarrhea. The bark is believed to possess antimicrobial qualities and as an astringent.