Psidium cattleianum littorale - (Raddi.)Fosberg.
(Raddi.)Fosberg.
Yellow Strawberry Guava
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Description
Psidium cattleianum littorale is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and aromatic. An agreeable acid-sweet flavour. High in pectin, the fruits are good for mixing with high-acid, low-pectin fruits for making jellies etc. This species has a superior flavour to P. littorale longipes. The fruit is about 4cm in diameter.
Distribution
S. America - Brazil.
Where It Grows
Coming Soon
Cultivation
Requires a well-drained sandy loam with leafmold. Not very hardy in Britain, it is best grown in a greenhouse but it can tolerate short-lived light frosts and therefore might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. If trying the plants outdoors, plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from winter cold for at least their first two winters. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Other Uses
Hedge Hedge. Grown as a hedge in warm temperate climates.
