Strawberry Guava: Psidium cattleianum

Distribution: Native to Brazil, naturalized in Florida, Hawaii, tropical Polynesia, Nor-
folk Island, and Mauritius (Cronk and Fuller 1995). Naturalized across peninsular
Florida, with herbarium specimens documented from Seminole, Orange, Osceola,
Pinellas, Hillsborough, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Highlands, Glades, Hardee, and
DeSoto counties (Wunderlin et al. 1995).

Life History: Grows rapidly, tolerates shade, and produces root suckers (Cronk and
Fuller 1995). Root-suckering ability important to its dominance in natural habitats
(Huenneke and Vitousek 1990). Has good salt tolerance (Maxwell and Maxwell 1961).
Flowers and fruits all year (Wunderlin 1982). Has high seed production, early seed
maturity, and seed dispersal by both birds and mammals (Cronk and Fuller 1995).