Psidium guineense - Brazilian Guava, Guinea Guava, Sour Guava Seeds

Description

Psidium guineense, a tropical shrub or small tree belonging to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), produces seeds that are a key feature of its fruit. The plant is commonly known by names such as Brazilian guava, Guinea guava, or sour guava.

The seeds are a defining characteristic of its small, yellow, and often pear-shaped fruit. The fruit has a thin, brittle skin that encloses a fleshy, aromatic pulp. Scattered throughout this pulp are a large number of seeds. These seeds are relatively small, hard, and irregular in shape, typically having a yellowish-brown or light brown color. Their tough, stony exterior protects the embryo within and contributes to the seed’s dormancy.

As the plant’s primary means of propagation, these seeds are crucial to its life cycle. Due to their hard seed coat, they can be slow to germinate and may require specific conditions, such as scarification or a period of dormancy, to encourage sprouting. The sheer quantity of seeds within each fruit contributes to the plant’s natural spread through seed dispersal by animals.